Cristiano Ronaldo has apologized after leaving the Portugal national team camp, while accusing coach Jorge Jesus of breaking promises to him twice. In a lengthy statement, the 41-year-old set out his account of the dispute that led him to leave Copenhagen before last week's Nations League match against Denmark.
According to Ronaldo, Jesus had agreed to a plan allowing him to sit out the matches against Norway and Denmark to manage his fitness. But on the day of the Norway game, the coach told him he would come on for 30 minutes.
"Everyone knows the rest. I warmed up from half-time, watched the clock tick by and was never called on," Ronaldo said. "The coach broke his promise to me."
Portugal's captain and all-time leading scorer said a subsequent meeting with Jesus, attended by Al Nassr sporting director Simao Coutinho, produced an agreement for the coach to clarify the matter at the next press conference.
According to Ronaldo, an eight-point document was drawn up stating that he had never asked to play, that he had respected Jesus's decisions, and that the coach's request for him to warm up without bringing him on was a mistake.
Ronaldo said the agreed text did not require Jesus to apologize to him, but argued that the coach's public remarks did not match what had been discussed privately between the two.
"That was the second time he broke a promise to me," Ronaldo said. "I decided to leave the camp rather than wait for another promise to be broken."
The statement sets out Ronaldo's account. On Sunday, after Portugal's win over Norway, Jesus denied reaching any agreement with the player, though he left open the possibility of Ronaldo returning to the national team.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Ronaldo's statement.
Ronaldo also apologized for not greeting the fans after the Norway match and for leaving his teammates, acknowledging that as captain his actions were more serious.
"The consequences of my actions need to be assessed and handled by the Portuguese Football Federation," he said.
Despite the rift, Ronaldo insisted he is not limiting his international ambitions to a farewell match.
"If I am fit, playing for my club – scoring goals, I hope – then after serving any punishment that is imposed, I will be ready, as I always have been until now, to play and win for our national team," he added.
