Cristiano Ronaldo has finally given his version of events. A few days after dramatically leaving the Portugal camp, the Seleção captain published a lengthy statement explaining his decision. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner notably accused head coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word twice. However, CR7 also insisted that his story with Portugal is not over.
Ronaldo had promised to tell “the truth” when he left the Portuguese squad, and he has now done so. In a statement published on Tuesday, the 41-year-old striker detailed the events that led to his departure before the trip to Denmark. According to Ronaldo, he and Jorge Jesus had agreed before the international break on a specific programme to manage his fitness, with the forward initially not expected to feature against Norway or Denmark. But on the day of the Norway match, Jesus reportedly changed the plan and told him he could play around 30 minutes. Ronaldo warmed up from half-time but was never brought on. “Everyone knows what happened next. I warmed up from half-time, watched the minutes go by and was never called upon. The coach had not kept his word,” Ronaldo explained.
Ronaldo Accuses Jorge Jesus of Breaking His Word Twice
After that episode, Ronaldo says a discussion took place between the two men, with Al-Nassr sporting director Simão Coutinho also present. An agreement was allegedly reached for Jesus to publicly clarify the situation at his next press conference. Ronaldo claims an eight-point document was even prepared, stating that he had never demanded playing time, had always respected the coach’s decisions and that sending him to warm up without bringing him on had been a mistake. One of the proposed statements reportedly read: “I was wrong to make someone of the stature of Pelé or Maradona warm up and then not bring him on. If it happened today, I would not do it.” However, Jesus’ press conference allegedly did not reflect what had been agreed privately. “It was the second time he had not kept his word with me,” Ronaldo said. Jesus, however, has denied that such an agreement existed and explained after the Norway match that he had considered using Ronaldo for “maybe half an hour” before the course of the game changed his plans.
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Despite his criticism of the coach, Ronaldo also acknowledged his own mistakes. He apologised for his behaviour towards supporters and to his Portugal teammates after leaving the camp. “I also have to apologise to my national-team teammates for leaving the camp,” he admitted. The captain added that he would accept any potential punishment from the Portuguese Football Federation, saying the consequences of his actions should be assessed by the FPF.
Most importantly, Ronaldo dismissed suggestions that he is preparing to retire from international football. The Al-Nassr forward said farewell matches will be organised when he truly decides to stop, but that moment has not yet arrived. “If I am physically fit, playing for my club, hopefully scoring goals, and after serving whatever suspension I am given, I will be available, as I always have been, to compete and win with our national team,” Ronaldo said, before concluding: “That is, believe me, the purest truth.” At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo is therefore not saying goodbye to Portugal. But after his public criticism of Jorge Jesus and the acknowledged “breakdown of trust,” the question is now how the two men can work together again.
