Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence and shares ‘reality’ on Jorge Jesus in indignant assertion
Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken out about the situation that saw him leave the Portugal camp during the international break
Cristiano Ronaldo was an unused substitute for Portugal vs Norway. (Image: LISE ASERUD, NTB/AFP via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at Portugal manager Jorge Jesus, claiming that his international boss ‘broke his word’ over his game time in the Nations League. Ronaldo has released a lengthy statement following his exit from the Portugal camp.
The former Man United and Real Madrid man has created headlines in his home country after leaving the camp following the Nations League win over Norway. He was an unused substitute for the game, despite him claiming he was told he would be used in the second half.
Portugal boss Jorge Jesus claimed that he wouldn’t be bullied into making selection decisions following Ronaldo’s reaction. The forward has now kept his promise and told his side of the story in a detailed statement.
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Looking back on the circumstances surrounding the Norway match, Ronaldo said: “At lunchtime on the day of the match in Norway, an assistant to the coach came to the table where the group was having lunch and informed me that the coach wanted to speak to me.
“To my absolute surprise, the coach asked me if I was fit to play 30 minutes. I was fully focused on my physical recovery, integrated with my teammates as always, and thinking that I would not play that day. Without any problem.
“This request was something outside my physical recovery and training plan, because I was only going to play on the 4th at the Dragao, but of course I said yes. He replied that I should then be ready because I would play 30 minutes.
“The rest everyone knows. I warmed up from half-time, watched the minutes go by, and was not called. The coach had broken his word to me.
Portugal boss Jorge Jesus has had a war of words with Cristiano Ronaldo. (Image: Octavio Passos, Getty Images)
“At the end of the match I only wanted everything to finish with the victory and to be alone. I did not go to greet the fans. A failing that is solely my responsibility and that should not have happened.
“I apologise to the Portuguese who supported us intensely there, I apologise to the fans, and I apologise to those who, without being Portuguese, may have travelled there to see me and whom I may have disappointed.”
Ronaldo went on to reveal that he requested Jesus to clarify the situation in his press conference, but was left feeling even more frustrated when the Portugal manager chose not to. He added: “What was agreed was simple: the coach would begin the press conference with this subject, seeking to close the matter by telling the truth.
“He would say that I never asked to play any minutes, that it was the coach and no one else who proposed the plan for this camp to me, and that it was a mistake to put me on to warm up and then not bring me on, and that if it happened again he would not do it.
“We ended that meeting with the coach asking me for a hug, promising me that he would say at the conference what he had just said to me, and that the matter would be overcome.”
Ronaldo continued: “I heard expressions and an aggressiveness that I do not believe I deserved, an attitude of ‘I want, I can and I command’ that he never showed me, not even remotely, in private the day before.
“None of these notes, therefore, said that the coach should even apologise to me. It was the second time he had broken his word to me.
“I decided to leave the camp without waiting for any further breach of word. For me the truth is still the most important thing in the relationship between people.
“However much it hurts, let them tell me the truth […] Never, at any moment, have I interfered in any technical or tactical decision of any coach or national team manager in almost 25 years of my career.
“I accept, for better or worse, what they propose that I do. I respect the decision, and when they break their word to me, I feel that my place is not there.”
Ronaldo also expressed regret for his abrupt departure from the Portugal camp and conceded that he will accept any resulting punishment without protest.
He stated: “I also owe an apology to my national team teammates for having left the camp. Despite the absolute breach of trust in the coach’s word, as those who witnessed these conversations can attest, I should not have done it.
“The responsibility is exclusively mine. I apologise to the Portuguese people once again, but the breaking of one’s word has, for me, a defining impact.
“I felt that, from that point on, my remaining would only harm the working group, and I did what I have always said I would do if I did not feel useful: I packed my bags and left.
“The consequence of this act of mine must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation. I understand that the punishment should have no mitigating factors.
“I am not just any player; I am team captain, and that constitutes an aggravating factor. I have already apologised, but I know that attitudes must have consequences.”
Ronaldo, who made his return to Al-Nassr earlier this week, is anticipated to be ready for Portugal when their international fixtures kick off again next month, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
