Cristiano Ronaldo has apologised for leaving the Portugal national team camp but insisted he remains available to represent his country despite his dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus.
The 41-year-old Al Nassr forward explained that he decided to leave the squad after what he described as two occasions when Jesus failed to keep his word.
Ronaldo said the original plan was for him to miss Portugal’s Nations League matches against Norway and Denmark as part of an arrangement to manage his fitness. However, before the Norway match, Jesus told him he might be needed for around 30 minutes.
Ronaldo said he warmed up from half-time but was eventually not introduced into the match. He described the incident as the first broken promise.
A meeting later took place involving Ronaldo, Jesus and Al Nassr sporting director Simão Coutinho. Ronaldo said they agreed that Jesus would explain the situation publicly at his next press conference.
According to Ronaldo, an eight-point document was prepared for Jesus, including statements that Ronaldo had not demanded playing time and that it had been a mistake to make him warm up without bringing him onto the pitch.
Ronaldo claimed Jesus did not follow the agreed points during his public comments. He therefore decided to leave the national team camp before Portugal’s match against Denmark.
The Portugal captain has accepted responsibility for his decision and apologised to his teammates and supporters.
“I owe an apology to my national team teammates for having left the camp,” Ronaldo said, acknowledging that his position as captain made his actions more serious.
Despite the disagreement, Ronaldo made it clear that he has no intention of permanently retiring from international football.
He said that if he remains physically fit, continues performing for Al Nassr and serves any punishment imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation, he will remain available for selection.
Ronaldo also said he expects to have one or more farewell matches for Portugal in the future, but his immediate priority remains competing rather than simply receiving a farewell.
Jesus, meanwhile, has disputed parts of Ronaldo’s account. The coach confirmed that there had been a plan concerning Ronaldo’s participation but maintained his authority to decide whether the forward would play.
A Portuguese football analysis also found that Jesus did address some of the points Ronaldo said had been agreed, including the decision to have him warm up against Norway. However, several other requested statements were not made publicly.
The dispute has created tension around Portugal’s national team, although the team has continued to perform strongly. Portugal have already qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals with two matches still to play.
Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record goalscorer and most-capped player, with 146 international goals in 234 appearances.
For now, his future with the national team remains open. While the Portuguese Football Federation could impose disciplinary action for his departure from camp, Ronaldo has made it clear that he wants to continue competing for Portugal.
