Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that he is not retiring from international football, despite a recent dispute with Portugal's head coach, Jorge Jesus. The 41-year-old captain left his country's Nations League camp last week after being an unused substitute against Norway and learning he would not start against Denmark. Ronaldo has scored 146 goals in 234 Portugal appearances, both world records, helping them win Euro 2016 and the Nations League twice.
Ronaldo's statement, which was nearly 2,000 words long, struck a conciliatory tone in places, but he was also critical of Portugal coach Jesus. He accused Jesus of an "absolute breach of trust" for first not playing him against Norway after saying he would, and then going back on his decision to present an agreed version of events to the media. Ronaldo said he should be held accountable for his actions and that the Portuguese Football Federation must assess the consequences of his actions and punish him for them.
According to Ronaldo, Jesus had agreed a plan under which the forward would miss the Norway and Denmark matches to manage his fitness. However, on the day of the Norway game, the 72-year-old coach told him he would play for 30 minutes. Ronaldo said he warmed up from half-time onwards, watched the minutes tick by, and wasn't called on. He stated that Jesus had broken his word to him, which led to his decision to leave the training camp.
A later meeting with Jesus produced an agreement for the coach to clarify matters at his next news conference. Ronaldo said an eight-point document was prepared saying he had never demanded playing time, had respected Jesus' decisions, and that the coach asking "someone of the stature of Pele or Maradona" to warm up without bringing him on had been a mistake. However, Ronaldo said the coach's public remarks did not reflect their private discussion.
Ronaldo's behaviour drew contrasting opinions in his homeland, with Jesus getting some support in the media and among fans at odds with those loyal to the legendary player. Ronaldo said that, despite the "absolute breakdown of trust" in Jesus' word, he should not have left and the "responsibility is mine alone," as he said sorry to his fellow players and Portugal's supporters. He added that he owes an apology to his national team teammates for having left the camp.
Jesus said on Sunday that the door was still open for Ronaldo to play for the country's national team. Ronaldo said that, provided he was "physically fit, playing with my team, and hopefully scoring goals," he would like to continue to play international football. He added that after his suspension period ends, he will be available, as he always has been, to compete and win with their national team.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has yet to comment on the situation. Ronaldo had considered retiring from international football after this summer's World Cup, at which Portugal exited at the last-16 stage, but was urged to reconsider by the FPF's president, Pedro Proenca, on the flight home from the United States.
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo will not retire from international football despite a recent dispute with Portugal's head coach, Jorge Jesus.
- Ronaldo walked out on Portugal's Nations League camp after a dispute with Jesus over playing time.
- Jesus has stated that the door is still open for Ronaldo to play for Portugal's national team.
