Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken out about his departure from the Portugal national team camp, stating that he remains committed to representing his country. In a statement shared with Reuters, Ronaldo insisted that he has no intention of walking away from the national team at this stage. He expressed his commitment to competing and winning for Portugal, provided he is physically well and available after serving any potential suspension. Ronaldo's comments come after his decision to leave the Portugal camp raised doubts about his international future.
Ronaldo's departure from the national team camp occurred after he was left as an unused substitute during Portugal's 2-1 Nations League victory away to Norway on September 27. According to Ronaldo, he had previously reached an agreement with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus regarding his involvement in the matches against Norway and Denmark. The plan was for him to miss both games as part of an effort to manage his fitness. However, Ronaldo claimed that Jesus changed the arrangement on the day of the Norway match and told him he would play for 30 minutes.
Ronaldo expressed disappointment and frustration with Jesus's decision, stating that it was not the first time he felt the coach had failed to honour an agreement between them. He decided to leave the training camp without waiting for any further broken promises. Ronaldo rejected the idea that he had attempted to interfere with the coach's tactical or technical decisions, instead emphasizing that his issue was about trust and respect between himself and the manager.
The Portugal captain also addressed speculation about his international career, dismissing suggestions that his focus is now on arranging a farewell appearance. Ronaldo stressed that his priority remains competing and winning with the national team. He indicated that he would eventually reveal more about the dispute with Jesus, promising to "tell the truth" in due course.
Despite the controversy, Ronaldo's commitment to Portugal remains strong. He is Portugal's record goalscorer, having scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for his country. Ronaldo's comments underline his determination to continue his international career despite the latest dispute. For now, the forward says his position is clear: he wants to continue playing for Portugal, provided he is physically fit and available after any suspension.
Jesus subsequently denied that he had made an agreement with Ronaldo concerning the Norway and Denmark matches, although he left the door open for the veteran forward to return to the national team. The Portuguese Football Federation may impose disciplinary measures on Ronaldo, but his latest statement has removed one major uncertainty. Rather than announcing his retirement, the legendary forward has declared that he still wants to compete, score goals and win for Portugal.
Ronaldo apologized to his Portugal team-mates and the Portuguese people for leaving the squad, while accepting that disciplinary action could follow his decision. He emphasized that he has always been committed to the national team, and his focus remains on competing and winning. The outcome of the dispute with Jesus and any disciplinary measures imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation will determine Ronaldo's future with the national team.
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo remains committed to representing Portugal and is available for selection once he has served any punishment handed down to him.
- Ronaldo's departure from the national team camp was due to a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus over playing time.
- Ronaldo dismissed suggestions that his focus is now on arranging a farewell appearance, stressing that his priority remains competing and winning with the national team.
