Ronaldo apologises for Portugal walkout, accuses coach of broken promises

Cristiano Ronaldo has apologised for leaving Portugal’s training camp but said he remains available for international selection after serving any punishment imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the 41-year-old captain accused head coach Jorge Jesus of twice breaking his word during the Nations League window. Ronaldo said Jesus initially planned to rest him for matches in Norway and Denmark but later asked whether he could play 30 minutes against Norway. Ronaldo agreed and warmed up from halftime, but remained an unused substitute.

Ronaldo said a subsequent meeting produced an eight-point document that Jesus had agreed to use publicly to clarify the episode, including that Ronaldo had not demanded playing time and had respected the coach’s decisions. According to Ronaldo, Jesus’s later remarks did not reflect that agreement, prompting him to leave before the Denmark match.

Jesus denied making an agreement with Ronaldo but said the forward could return if he wished. Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença described the dispute as a misunderstanding that should be resolved internally and said Ronaldo remained in the team’s plans on sporting merit.

Ronaldo accepted responsibility for leaving camp and for failing to greet supporters after the Norway match, saying his status as captain made the conduct more serious. He rejected suggestions that he was seeking only a farewell appearance, saying he intended to remain available to compete for Portugal if fit and playing for Al Nassr. Croatia captain Luka Modrić separately urged Portugal to ensure Ronaldo eventually receives an appropriate international farewell.