Ronaldo finally explains why he walked out on Portugal
LISBON — Cristiano Ronaldo has apologised for walking out on Portugal but accused national team coach Jorge Jesus of twice breaking promises made to him, giving his first detailed account of the dispute that has left his international future uncertain.
The 41-year-old left Portugal’s camp in Copenhagen last Wednesday before the Nations League match against Denmark, a decision that immediately raised questions over whether the country’s record goalscorer had played his final international match.
In a lengthy statement released on Monday, Ronaldo said the dispute began with an agreement between himself and Jesus to manage his fitness by sitting out matches against Norway and Denmark.
According to Ronaldo, that arrangement changed on the day Portugal faced Norway on September 27, when Jesus told him he would play for approximately 30 minutes. Ronaldo warmed up from half-time but was never brought onto the pitch as Portugal won 2-1.
“The manager had broken his word to me,” Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo said another attempt was subsequently made to resolve the disagreement. A meeting involving Jesus and Al Nassr sporting director Simao Coutinho allegedly produced an eight-point agreement setting out how the situation would be publicly explained.
According to Ronaldo, the document was intended to clarify that he had not demanded playing time, had respected the coach’s decisions and believed asking him to warm up without eventually using him had been a mistake.
Ronaldo said he did not demand an apology from Jesus. However, when the coach later addressed the issue publicly, Ronaldo believed the explanation did not reflect what they had privately agreed.
“It was the second time he had broken his word to me,” Ronaldo said, explaining that he then decided to leave the camp.
Jesus disputes Ronaldo’s version of events. The Portugal coach has denied making the agreement described by the player, although he has publicly left the door open for Ronaldo to return to the national team.
The Portuguese Football Federation had not responded to Reuters’ request for comment on Ronaldo’s latest statement.
Ronaldo nevertheless accepted responsibility for his own conduct. He apologised for leaving his teammates and for failing to acknowledge supporters after the Norway match, conceding that his position as Portugal captain made his actions more serious.
He also said the Portuguese Football Federation should determine whether he should be punished.
The confrontation has not prevented Portugal from progressing without him. The defending Nations League champions beat Denmark 4-2 following his departure and then defeated Norway 2-1 on Sunday to secure a place in the competition’s quarterfinals.
Jesus has said Ronaldo can return if he wants to, while teammate Bruno Fernandes has rejected suggestions that the controversy has divided the squad.
Ronaldo’s own statement suggests he is not ready to end his international career. He said that after serving whatever punishment may follow, he would remain available for Portugal provided he is fit and playing regularly for Al Nassr.
That leaves Portugal facing an unusual decision over its most decorated player. Ronaldo has represented the country since 2003 and is its record appearance-maker and goalscorer, with 146 goals in 234 international matches.
Portugal’s next Nations League matches are against Norway on November 14 and Wales three days later. Whether Ronaldo is included could provide the clearest indication yet of whether the dispute with Jesus has been resolved or has brought his extraordinary international career closer to an unexpected ending.
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