Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, has explained the reasons behind his sudden exit from Portugal's national team. In a lengthy statement, Ronaldo expressed gratitude to his teammates and fans but detailed the issues that led to his departure. He mentioned that the problems began after the World Cup when the President of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) asked him to reconsider his decision to leave the national team. Ronaldo had expressed support for Jorge Jesus as the team's coach.
Ronaldo revealed that Jesus had assured him of his importance in the team's plans, stating that he would start in the first two games of the UEFA Nations League. However, Jesus reportedly asked Ronaldo not to play in friendly matches, which Ronaldo opposed as he felt it was not fair to his teammates. On the day of a match against Norway, Jesus asked Ronaldo if he was ready to play 30 minutes, which Ronaldo agreed to, despite it not being part of their initial agreement.
Ronaldo expressed disappointment that Jesus did not stick to their agreement, as he was not called upon to enter the game despite warming up. This incident led to Ronaldo's decision to leave the national team. He later met with Jesus, the FPF President, and other team officials, and they agreed that Jesus would address the media and clarify the situation. Ronaldo stated that Jesus had assured him that he would tell the truth about what happened.
However, Ronaldo claimed that Jesus's subsequent statements to the media differed from their agreement. Jesus reportedly stated that Ronaldo had asked to play a specific number of minutes, which Ronaldo denied. Ronaldo felt that Jesus had broken his promise to tell the truth and that this was the second time he had failed to keep his word. Ronaldo emphasized that he had never interfered with the technical decisions of coaches during his 25 years with the national team.
Ronaldo took responsibility for his decision to leave the national team and apologized to his teammates for his absence. He stated that the FPF should hold him accountable and that his role as captain should be considered an aggravating factor in any potential sanctions. Despite the controversy, Ronaldo expressed his desire to continue playing for Portugal. He emphasized that the national team represents the country's pride and that he wants to contribute to its success.
Ronaldo cited examples of his commitment to the national team, including continuing to play after his father's death. He expressed his willingness to return to the team if he is in good form and has completed any potential suspensions. Ronaldo's statement concluded with an emphasis on his passion for Portuguese football and his desire to help the team succeed.
The FPF has since responded to the situation, with President Pedro Proença describing the issue as a "misunderstanding" and stating that Ronaldo remains part of the national team. The incident has sparked debate among football fans, with many calling for clarity on the situation. Ronaldo's future with the national team remains uncertain, but he has expressed his commitment to contributing to Portugal's success.
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo exited Portugal's national team due to issues with coach Jorge Jesus.
- Ronaldo and Jesus had disagreements over playing time and team strategy.
- Ronaldo expressed his desire to continue playing for Portugal if he is in good form and has completed any potential suspensions.
