Cristiano Ronaldo has explained his decision to leave Portugal’s national team camp, accusing head coach Jorge Jesus of breaking promises but insisting he remains committed to representing his country.
The 41-year-old forward issued a lengthy statement on Tuesday, October 6, giving his account of the events that led to his departure ahead of Portugal’s Nations League match against Denmark.
Ronaldo said Jesus had initially agreed that he would sit out the matches against Norway and Denmark as part of a plan to manage his fitness. However, he claimed the coach later told him he would play 30 minutes against Norway.
According to Ronaldo, he warmed up from half-time but was ultimately not brought onto the pitch.
“Everyone knows the rest. I warmed up from half-time onwards, watched the minutes tick by and wasn’t called on,” Ronaldo said. “The manager had broken his word to me.”
Ronaldo said a subsequent meeting involving Jesus and Al Nassr sporting director Simao Coutinho produced an agreement for the coach to clarify the situation publicly. He claimed the explanation that followed did not reflect what had been agreed.
“It was the second time he had broken his word to me,” Ronaldo said, explaining that he then decided to leave the camp.
Despite the dispute, Ronaldo apologised for leaving his teammates and failing to greet supporters after the Norway match. He also accepted that the Portuguese Football Federation could punish him for his actions.
However, he made clear that he has not retired from international football.
“If I’m physically fit, playing for my club – scoring goals, I hope – after serving whatever suspension is imposed on me, I’ll be available, as I’ve always been until now, to compete and win for our national team,” he said.
