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Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledged that leaving the camp was an offence and said he would accept whatever disciplinary action followed.
Cristiano Ronaldo says he’s ready to face punishment for his actions. (AP Photo)
Cristiano Ronaldo has accused Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus of not honouring an agreement over his playing time during the Nations League. The 41-year-old forward issued a statement of nearly 2,000 words on Tuesday, apologising for leaving Portugal’s camp and acknowledging that he could face a suspension as a result.
Ronaldo though made it clear that he remains committed to representing his country.
“I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team,” Ronaldo said in the statement.
Ronaldo was left on the bench for Portugal‘s Nations League meeting with Norway by Jesus.
Before the team’s following match against Denmark, the coach told reporters that Ronaldo would not be in the starting lineup.
The former Real Madrid star subsequently left the national team camp.
“I owe an apology to my national team teammates for having left the camp,” wrote Ronaldo. “Despite the absolute breakdown of trust in the head coach’s word… I shouldn’t have done it. The responsibility is mine alone.”
He also expressed regret to Portugal’s supporters, while maintaining that his decision was prompted by what he described as a “broken word” from Jesus.
“I apologise to the Portuguese people once again, but a broken word has, for me, a defining impact,” said Ronaldo. “I felt that, from that moment on, my presence would only harm the group, and I did what I always said I would do if I didn’t feel useful: I picked up my bags and left.”
According to Ronaldo, Jesus had initially outlined a plan for the international window shortly after taking charge following Portugal’s elimination from the World Cup in the Round of 16. The proposed arrangement would have seen Ronaldo start the first and last matches at home, while remaining behind for the away fixtures against Norway and Denmark.
Ronaldo rejected the idea, arguing that it would send the wrong message for the captain to stay behind while his team-mates travelled.
He said the situation changed before the Norway match, when Jesus unexpectedly asked whether he could play for 30 minutes. Ronaldo agreed and began warming up at half-time, but was ultimately not introduced.
“The head coach failed to keep his word to me,” said Ronaldo, Portugal’s most capped player and all-time top goalscorer.
The former Manchester United striker said he subsequently spoke with Jesus, with both agreeing that the coach would address the situation and apologise during his news conference before the Denmark match.
Ronaldo said the press conference did not reflect what had been agreed between them. He described Jesus’s tone as marked by an “aggressiveness” he had never experienced from the coach before.
“It was the second time he failed to keep his word. I decided to leave the camp without waiting for any further broken promises,” wrote Ronaldo.
Ronaldo acknowledged that leaving the camp was an offence and said he would accept whatever disciplinary action followed.
“The consequence of this act of mine must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation,” he explained. “I understand that the punishment should not have mitigating circumstances. I’m not just any player, I’m the team captain, and that is an aggravating factor.”
Despite the controversy, Portugal secured victories in all four of their Nations League fixtures and booked their place in the quarter-finals with two matches still to play.
With AFP Inputs
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Ask News18Cristiano Ronaldo left the Portugal camp after accusing head coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word regarding playing time and squad selections during the Nations League. Ronaldo stated that a broken word had a defining impact on him and that his presence would only harm the group.
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Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
October 07, 2026, 08:44 IST
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