Cristiano Ronaldo says he has no plans to retire from international football, but admits he deserves punishment for leaving Portugal’s camp.
The 41 year old captain walked out of the Nations League camp last week after remaining an unused substitute against Norway. He then learned that he would not start against Denmark.
Ronaldo has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal. Both figures are world records, while his international career includes Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles.
In a lengthy statement of almost 2,000 words, the Al Nassr forward accepted responsibility for leaving the squad. However, he also accused head coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word twice.
Ronaldo described the situation as an “absolute breach of trust”. He said Jesus first failed to honour a promise over his involvement against Norway before later changing an agreement about how the issue would be explained publicly.
“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 says he wants to continue with Portugal
Ronaldo spoke after Jesus insisted there was no rift between the coach and his captain. Jesus had also dismissed claims that Ronaldo refused to train with the squad.
On Sunday, Jesus said the door remained open for Ronaldo to return to the national team.
Ronaldo has now made his own position clear. He says he wants to continue representing Portugal as long as he remains fit and in form for his club.
He said that, provided he was “physically fit, playing with my team, and hopefully scoring goals”, he would like to continue playing international football.
“After my suspension period ends, I will be available, as I always have been, to compete and win with our national team,” he added.
Ronaldo’s statement took a conciliatory tone in parts. However, he also gave a detailed account of the disagreement with Jesus that led to his departure.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward said Jesus had agreed that he would miss both the Norway and Denmark matches. The plan, according to Ronaldo, aimed to manage his fitness.
However, Ronaldo said Jesus changed that plan on the day of the Norway game and told him he would play for 30 minutes.
“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 he later met with Jesus, with both men agreeing on how the situation would be addressed at the coach’s next news conference.
According to Ronaldo, the two sides prepared an eight point document. It stated that he had never demanded playing time and had respected Jesus’ decisions.
The document also said Jesus made a mistake by asking “someone of the stature of Pele or Maradona” to warm up without eventually bringing him onto the pitch.
Ronaldo said the agreement did not require Jesus to apologise. However, he felt the coach’s public comments did not match what they had discussed privately.
“The conference was what is known: the attitude had nothing to do with our meeting,” Ronaldo explained.
“I heard expressions and an aggressiveness I believe I did not deserve, a “High and mighty” attitude that he never showed me, not even remotely, in private the day before.”
Ronaldo said this was the “second time” Jesus had “broken his word to me”. He then decided to leave the training camp “without waiting for any further broken promises”.
Before Jesus became Portugal coach, Ronaldo had described his former Al Nassr boss as the “right choice” for the national team.
The veteran forward had also considered retiring from international football after this summer’s World Cup. Portugal exited the tournament at the last 16 stage.
Ronaldo said he had written a letter to supporters containing the words he planned to share when announcing his retirement. However, Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca persuaded him to reconsider during the flight home from the United States.
His decision to leave the latest camp has divided opinion in Portugal. Some supporters and sections of the media have backed Jesus, while others have defended Ronaldo’s record and status as a national icon.
Despite his criticism of Jesus, Ronaldo accepts that he should not have left the squad. He said responsibility for that decision rests with him alone.
He also apologised to his team mates and Portugal supporters for walking away from the camp.
“I owe an apology to my national team teammates for having left the camp… I apologise to the Portuguese people once again, but a broken word has, for me, a defining impact.”
