Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted he is not retiring from international football and called on Portugal’s football federation to punish him after his dramatic departure from the national team camp.
In a statement of almost 2,000 words, the 41-year-old gave his account of the dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus that preceded his exit during Portugal’s Nations League campaign.
Ronaldo said he had apologised for leaving but believed his status as captain meant he should be held fully accountable.
“The Portuguese Football Federation must assess the consequences of my actions and punish me for them. I believe the punishment should not be reduced,” Ronaldo said.
“I have already apologised, but I know that actions have consequences.”
Ronaldo said he and Jesus had agreed he would sit out the matches against Norway and Denmark to manage his fitness.
He claims that on the day of the Norway game, Jesus unexpectedly told him he would play for 30 minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted he is not retiring from international football and called on Portugal’s football federation to punish him after his dramatic departure from the national team camp
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Ronaldo said he warmed up from half-time but was not brought on, which he regarded as the first breach of the coach’s word.
A later meeting, attended by Al-Nassr sporting director Simao Coutinho, was intended to settle the dispute, he said.
According to Ronaldo, they agreed Jesus would clarify at a news conference that Ronaldo had not demanded to play, that he had accepted the coach’s decisions and that asking him to warm up without using him had been a mistake.
Ronaldo said the coach’s public comments did not match what they had discussed privately.
“It was the second time he had broken his word to me,” Ronaldo said, explaining that he decided to leave camp rather than wait for another promise to be broken.
Jesus, however, denied making an agreement with Ronaldo.
He had said after Portugal’s win over Norway that the door remained open for the forward to return.
Cristiano Ronaldo could still represent Portugal in the future despite his disupute with Jorge Jesus
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Despite the fallout, Ronaldo said he wanted to keep representing Portugal after serving any suspension imposed by the federation, provided he was fit and playing for his club.
Portugal’s record goalscorer, with 146 goals in 234 appearances, has helped his country win Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles.
He said his focus remained on competing for the national team rather than arranging a farewell appearance. Ronaldo’s departure followed his unused-substitute appearance against Norway and the news that he would not start against Denmark.
He had earlier promised to explain why he left, saying he would tell the Portuguese people the truth.
