The 41-year-old was an unused substitute during Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway before reportedly seeking talks with Jesus and subsequently leaving the squad.
Ronaldo has not publicly detailed the circumstances surrounding his departure, saying he would explain his reasons “in due time”. However, his reaction to comments made by Vidal has added to the speculation surrounding the situation.
The Portugal captain liked an Instagram video in which Vidal criticised the way Ronaldo had been treated and compared it with the respect shown to Lionel Messi by Argentina.
Vidal, who now plays for Colo Colo after previously representing Juventus, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, said he fully supported Ronaldo and believed Jesus had made a mistake in the way he handled the situation.
“The coach is wrong. I fully support Cristiano. It is really a shame that a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is among the four best players in the history of football, leaves Portugal under these conditions,” Vidal said.
The former Chile midfielder also argued that Ronaldo deserved to be protected because of his contribution to Portuguese football and the national team.
“You have to take care of ‘CR7’, you have to protect him. He is the one who raised Portugal among the best teams in the world, who raised football and Portugal to another level.”
Vidal went further by insisting that Ronaldo had earned the right to make his own decision after everything he had contributed to Portugal.
“Cristiano is fully entitled to do whatever he wants, because what he has brought to football and the national team is to have raised it to another level. All my support goes to Cristiano Ronaldo.”
His criticism also extended to what he viewed as a lack of respect for Ronaldo compared with the treatment received by Messi.
Vidal also said on Cadena SER: “I see much more respect from the opponents who play against Cristiano Ronaldo, I think that’s wrong.
“No one reaches the level of Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s unacceptable. You can’t let the best player in history leave like that, as if nothing had happened. You can’t.”
Ronaldo has also appeared to receive support from former Manchester United team-mate Rasmus Højlund.
The Denmark forward celebrated scoring against Portugal by performing Ronaldo’s trademark “Siu” celebration, a gesture that came amid the controversy surrounding the Portugal captain’s departure.
Ronaldo subsequently thanked Portugal and his team-mates in a statement, while maintaining that he would explain the circumstances behind his decision to leave the camp at a later date.
For now, Vidal’s intervention and Ronaldo’s apparent approval of his comments have provided a public indication of where the Portugal captain stands, even though he has yet to give his full account of what happened between himself and Jesus.