Cristiano Ronaldo has issued a lengthy statement about his departure from the Portugal camp, accusing head coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word while accepting that he should be punished for leaving the squad.
The Al Nassr forward said he had been told he would play 30 minutes against Norway after warming up from half-time, but was not introduced. Ronaldo claimed the decision contradicted an agreement over his involvement during the international camp.
He also admitted that he was wrong to leave without greeting supporters and apologised to Portugal’s players, fans and those who had travelled to watch him.
Ronaldo’s account of the dispute with Jorge Jesus
Ronaldo said Jesus had initially presented him with a plan that involved playing the opening match and the final fixture, while being rested for the games in Norway and Denmark. The 41-year-old said he rejected the suggestion that he should remain in Portugal rather than travel with the squad.
According to Ronaldo, the pair later agreed that he would not play in Denmark but would feature in the match at the Dragão. He said that, during the team’s lunch before the Norway fixture, an assistant told him Jesus wanted to know whether he was fit enough to play for 30 minutes.
“I warmed up from half-time, watched the minutes go by, and was not called. The coach had broken his word to me,” Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo claimed he subsequently held a private meeting with Jesus and Simão Coutinho, Al Nassr’s sporting director, where they agreed that the coach would clarify the situation publicly.
He said Jesus was expected to explain that Ronaldo had not asked to play, that the plan had come from the manager and that it had been a mistake to send him out to warm up without bringing him on.
However, Ronaldo said the manager’s press conference did not reflect what had been discussed privately. He described the tone as aggressive and said it was the second time Jesus had broken his word to him.
“I decided to leave the camp without waiting for any further breach of word,” Ronaldo said. “For me the truth is still the most important thing in the relationship between people.”
He insisted that he had never interfered in the technical or tactical decisions of a Portugal manager during his international career. Ronaldo added that he would accept being told directly if he was no longer wanted in the squad.
Despite his criticism of Jesus, Ronaldo accepted responsibility for his conduct in Norway. He said he should have remained with his team-mates and described leaving the camp as an action for which he alone was responsible.
“The consequence of this act of mine must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation,” he said. “I am not just any player; I am team captain, and that constitutes an aggravating factor.”
Ronaldo also dismissed suggestions that his international future should centre on a farewell appearance. He said he expected to have one or more farewell matches but insisted that his immediate focus remained on competing for Portugal.
He added that, provided he was fit and playing for Al Nassr, he would make himself available for the national team after serving any suspension imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation.
Ronaldo has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal. He is approaching his 42nd birthday but remains active for Al Nassr, with his statement leaving open the possibility of a further international appearance after the dispute with Jorge Jesus.
