Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has once again sent shockwaves through the football world after announcing that he will not be attending the Premier League’s Pride Night. Although he is currently playing in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo’s global influence has led to his comments going viral and sparking a heated debate.
In a recent interview, Ronaldo bluntly said:
“Football should be about passion, discipline and performance — not about politics or social movements.”
This statement has caused a stir on social media. One side believes that Ronaldo is brave enough to say what many other players are afraid to say — that football is increasingly being overshadowed by off-field factors, as leagues and clubs continue to incorporate political and social messages into sporting events.
However, others have harshly criticized Ronaldo, saying that he lacks the spirit of supporting diversity and equality, especially when Pride Night is an activity considered a symbol of openness in sports. Some commentators have accused him of being “insensitive” and “conservative,” arguing that with his global influence, he should use his voice to promote tolerance, instead of standing aside.
On social network X (Twitter), millions of comments were posted within hours of the news breaking. One fan wrote: “Ronaldo is right! Footballers are not tools for social campaigns. They are paid to play football, not to express political stances.” Meanwhile, another person retorted: “It is disappointing that he does not understand that football is a home for everyone, regardless of gender or orientation.”
Media experts also shared mixed views. Some believe Ronaldo is trying to defend the pure nature of the sport, where everything should be decided by skill and effort. But there are also concerns that his comments could affect the global brand image he has built over the years, especially when many major brands are actively supporting diversity and gender equality.
Despite the criticism, Ronaldo remained silent after his statement, not explaining further. According to sources close to him, he feels that today’s players are forced to express political views — something he considers “unfair and unnecessary.”
One thing is undeniable: with just one sentence, Cristiano Ronaldo has made the entire football world reconsider whether football today is truly a sport for everyone — or has become a media tool for issues outside the field.
