Cristiano Ronaldo has dismissed talk of retirement from international football, stating he is committed to continuing to play for Portugal. The 41-year-old captain left his country's Nations League camp last week after being an unused substitute against Norway and then finding out he would not start against Denmark. Ronaldo has scored 146 goals in 234 Portugal appearances, helping them win Euro 2016 and the Nations League twice.
Ronaldo released a lengthy statement, which ran to nearly 2,000 words, expressing his desire to be held accountable for his actions. He accused Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus of an "absolute breach of trust" for not playing him against Norway after promising to do so, and then going back on a decision to present an agreed version of events to the media. Ronaldo emphasized that he had already apologized for his actions.
The Al-Nassr forward said he believes the Portuguese Football Federation should assess the consequences of his actions and punish him accordingly. Ronaldo added that he will be available to compete and win with the national team after his suspension period ends, provided he is "physically fit, playing with my team, and hopefully scoring goals". He expressed his desire to continue playing international football.
Ronaldo's statement comes after Jesus said there was no rift with the captain, following claims the five-time Ballon d'Or winner had refused to train. Jesus stated that the door was still open for Ronaldo to play for Portugal's national team. The incident had sparked concerns about Ronaldo's future with the team.
Ronaldo's international career has been marked by numerous achievements, including winning Euro 2016 and the Nations League twice. He holds world records for most goals scored and appearances for Portugal. The forward has played for top clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester United.
The Portuguese Football Federation is yet to comment on the potential punishment for Ronaldo's actions. The team's fans and supporters are eagerly awaiting a resolution to the issue, which has dominated headlines in recent days. Ronaldo's commitment to the team is seen as a significant boost.
Ronaldo's determination to continue playing for Portugal has been welcomed by fans and teammates alike. The team's next matches will be crucial in determining the outcome of the incident and Ronaldo's future with the team. Key points include Ronaldo's commitment to continuing to play for Portugal, his willingness to face punishment, and his criticisms of coach Jorge Jesus.
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo has dismissed talk of retirement from international football.
- Ronaldo is willing to face punishment for walking out on Portugal's Nations League camp.
- Ronaldo accused coach Jorge Jesus of breaching his trust.
