Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly addressed the circumstances surrounding his departure from the Portugal national team. In a statement released on October 6, Ronaldo detailed the events that led to his exit, citing unfulfilled promises by coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo had announced his departure from the squad on September 30, a day before a match against Denmark.
Ronaldo revealed that he had initially approved of Jesus' appointment as coach, but things took a turn when Jesus asked him to play 30 minutes in a match against Norway. Ronaldo, who was heated at halftime, was not substituted into the game, leading him to feel that Jesus had not kept his promise. Ronaldo acknowledged that he made a mistake by not greeting fans after the match, taking full responsibility for his actions.
A meeting between Ronaldo, Jesus, and Al-Nassr's sports director Simão Coutinho was held 48 hours later, which Ronaldo described as not going as planned. He claimed to have heard unjustified aggression and comments from Jesus, leading him to decide to leave the squad. Ronaldo apologized to his teammates for his behavior, acknowledging that he should not have acted that way.
Ronaldo called for himself to be sanctioned by the Portuguese Football Federation, citing his role as team captain as an aggravating circumstance. He expressed a desire to be punished for his actions, demonstrating a sense of accountability for his behavior.
Despite the controversy, Ronaldo left the door open for a potential return to the national team. He stated that he would be "available" to compete and win with Portugal once his suspension is over, provided he is in good form and scoring with his club. Ronaldo emphasized that he is focused on competition and winning.
Ronaldo's statement comes after a tumultuous period for the Portuguese team, with Jesus denying any incident with Ronaldo. The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed Ronaldo's departure without mentioning any international retirement. The incident has sparked debate among fans and pundits.
Ronaldo concluded his statement by affirming that he has told the truth about the events surrounding his departure. He expressed his commitment to the team and his willingness to contribute to Portugal's success in the future. The situation will likely continue to unfold in the coming days and weeks.
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo cites unfulfilled promises by coach Jorge Jesus as the reason for his departure from the Portugal national team.
- Ronaldo apologizes to teammates and calls for himself to be sanctioned by the Portuguese Football Federation.
- Ronaldo leaves the door open for a potential return to the national team once his suspension is over.
