{
  "id": 11363715,
  "title": "Portugal: ‘So sad it can end this way’ – France legend Leboeuf on Cristiano Ronaldo’s career",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/portugal-so-sad-it-can-end-this-way-france-legend-leboeuf-on",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T05:20:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/02/portugal-so-sad-it-can-end-this-way-france-legend-leboeuf-on-cristiano-ronaldos-career/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "France legend Frank Leboeuf expressed his disappointment over Cristiano Ronaldo's sudden departure from the Portugal national team. Speaking to ESPN FC, Leboeuf lamented that Ronaldo's career should not end so abruptly, suggesting that the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star deserves a farewell match akin to Lionel Messi's impending opportunity. Leboeuf acknowledged Ronaldo's understandable frustration following his limited playing time during Portugal's UEFA Nations League victory over Norway. The former French midfielder stressed that such reactions to bench time are normal for any player, and if this is Ronaldo's sole concern, then the matter can be resolved. However, Leboeuf firmly opposed an abrupt conclusion to Ronaldo's international career, advocating for Portugal to organize a farewell match that grants him the final say on his departure. He said, \"It’s not possible that we can see an ending like this. That cannot be an ending for a player like him. A player like him has to decide himself, ‘Okay, maybe it’s the end of it. I say goodbye, thank you, farewell.’ And then you do, like maybe they will do for Messi.\" In conclusion, Leboeuf expressed his sadness over the potential end to Ronaldo's illustrious career, calling for a celebration instead of an exit. He said, \"If that is what it is, if everybody is assuming or thinking of it, it’s sad. I don’t want to believe that.\"",
  "summary": "France legend, Frank Leboeuf has said that Cristiano Ronaldo deserves a farewell match comparable to Lionel Messi’s forthcoming fixture. He argued that such an illustrious career with the national team should not end abruptly. Speaking on ESPN FC, Leboeuf said Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction following his lack of playing time during the UEFA Nations League victory over […] Portugal: ‘So sad it can end…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "Leboeuf's comments suggest that an unceremonious end to Ronaldo's career would be a disappointment, and that a farewell match would be a fitting tribute to his legacy.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Cristiano Ronaldo is losing the plot as his career enters its final chapter",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/cristiano-ronaldo-is-losing-the-plot-as-his-career-enters-its-final",
        "published": "2026-10-02T05:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "UNL: Brazil legend, Marcelo reacts as Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal national team camp",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/unl-brazil-legend-marcelo-reacts-as-cristiano-ronaldo-leaves-portugal",
        "published": "2026-10-02T05:29:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}