Cristiano Ronaldo has accused Portugal coach Jorge Jesus of breaking promises regarding his playing time, stating that a failed agreement to publicly explain his omission against Norway led to his departure from the national team camp. Ronaldo, 41, explained that he had agreed to miss the matches against Norway and Denmark to manage his fitness, but was told on the day of the Norway game that he would play for 30 minutes. He noted, "Everyone knows the rest. I warmed up from halftime onwards, watched the minutes tick by and wasn’t called on."
Following a meeting with Jesus, which included Al Nassr’s sporting director Simao Coutinho, Ronaldo claims they reached an agreement for the coach to clarify the situation at his next news conference. Ronaldo stated that an eight-point document was prepared, indicating he had never demanded playing time and had respected Jesus’s decisions. However, he expressed that the coach's public comments did not align with their private discussion.
Ronaldo remarked, "It was the second time he had broken his word to me. I decided to leave the training camp without waiting for any further broken promises." In response to Ronaldo's statement, Jesus denied making any agreement with the player but left the possibility of Ronaldo's return open.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has not yet commented on the matter. Ronaldo also apologized for not greeting supporters after the Norway match and for leaving his teammates, acknowledging that his actions as captain were significant. He stated, "The consequences of my actions must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation." Despite the situation, Ronaldo affirmed his commitment to the national team, saying, "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."