Cristiano Ronaldo has given his account of the events that led him to leave Portugal's national team camp, saying head coach Jorge Jesus broke an agreement over his playing time.
Ronaldo published a lengthy statement on October 6, explaining what happened during Portugal's latest international camp and why he decided to leave the squad.
According to Ronaldo, he had discussed his future with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença after the 2026 World Cup. He said he later supported the decision to appoint Jorge Jesus as Portugal's new head coach.
Ronaldo said he then met Jesus before the latest international camp. During that meeting, the coach presented him with a plan to manage his playing time because of his physical condition.
Ronaldo said the original plan was for him to play the first match and the final match of the international window, with the possibility of staying in Portugal for the game in Norway before returning for the match at Porto's Estádio do Dragão.
He said he rejected that idea because he did not believe it would set the right example for him to remain in Portugal while the national team travelled abroad.
Ronaldo said another conversation took place before the camp began and that the original agreement remained in place.
He played against Wales and was substituted during the match. Ronaldo said he accepted the decision without any problem and even handed the captain's armband to Bruno Fernandes.
The dispute came during Portugal's next match against Norway.
Ronaldo said an assistant approached him during lunch and told him that Jesus wanted to speak with him. According to the Portugal captain, Jesus then asked whether he was fit to play for 30 minutes.
Ronaldo said he agreed and was told to be ready to enter the match. He warmed up from halftime but was never sent onto the pitch.
That decision became the main point of the disagreement.
Ronaldo said he felt that Jesus had broken the agreement between them. He later left Portugal's training camp after the dispute, prompting questions about his future with the national team.
Jesus has previously given his own explanation. Before the Norway match, he said he had considered using Ronaldo for around 30 minutes but decided not to make the substitution based on how the game developed. Ronaldo remained an unused substitute as Portugal won 2-1.
After Ronaldo left camp, Jesus and the Portuguese Football Federation said the door remained open for his return. Ronaldo's latest statement also indicates that he still wants to represent Portugal if he remains physically able to do so and after any disciplinary consequences are dealt with.
Ronaldo's statement now gives his side of the dispute, while Jesus has offered a different explanation for the decision against Norway. The disagreement remains one of the biggest stories surrounding Portugal's national team.
