Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal captain accuses Jorge Jesus of breaking his word twice

Cristiano Ronaldo has accused Portugal coach Jorge Jesus of twice breaking his word during a dispute that led to the captain’s departure from the team’s training camp before their Nations League match against Denmark.

In a lengthy statement, the 41-year-old forward gave his account of the events surrounding his decision to leave the squad in Copenhagen last week.

Ronaldo said he and Jesus had initially agreed that he would miss Portugal’s matches against Norway and Denmark to manage his fitness. However, he said the coach changed the plan on the day of the Norway game and told him he would play for 30 minutes.

Ronaldo said he warmed up from half-time but was never brought onto the pitch.

“Everyone knows the rest,” Ronaldo said. “I warmed up from half-time onwards, watched the minutes tick by and wasn’t called on.”

He described the decision as the first time Jesus had broken his word to him.

Ronaldo said a subsequent meeting with Jesus, attended by Al Nassr sporting director Simao Coutinho, resulted in an agreement for the coach to explain the situation during his next press conference.

According to Ronaldo, an eight-point document was prepared stating that he had never demanded playing time, had respected the coach’s decisions and that asking him to warm up without subsequently using him had been a mistake.

Ronaldo said the agreement did not require Jesus to apologise but that the coach’s public comments were significantly different from what had been discussed privately.

“It was the second time he had broken his word to me,” Ronaldo said. “I decided to leave the training camp without waiting for any further broken promises.”

Jesus disputed Ronaldo’s account after Portugal’s victory over Norway on Sunday, saying he had not made such an agreement with the captain. However, the coach left open the possibility of Ronaldo returning to the squad.

The Portuguese Football Federation had not immediately responded to a request for comment on Ronaldo’s statement.

Ronaldo also apologised for failing to greet supporters after the Norway match and for leaving his teammates. He acknowledged that his responsibilities as captain made his conduct more serious.

He said any punishment should be determined by the Portuguese Football Federation and indicated that he remained committed to representing his country.

“If I’m physically fit, playing for my club – scoring goals, I hope – after serving whatever suspension is imposed on me, I’ll be available, as I’ve always been until now, to compete and win for our national team,” Ronaldo said.

The dispute has created uncertainty around Ronaldo’s immediate future with Portugal, although his statement made clear that he does not view the episode as the end of his international career.