Cristiano Ronaldo has ended his silence and caused further controversy with a long statement about the scandal surrounding his departure from the Portuguese national team's quarters. The football superstar accused national coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word, but at the same time he also offered to continue his international career.
«I decided to leave the training camp without waiting for another break in my word. For me, the truth is still the most important thing in the relationship between people," wrote Ronaldo, explaining the events surrounding his abrupt departure last week.
At the same time, the 41-year-old apologized for leaving the team. “Despite the absolute breach of trust on the part of the coach - which witnesses to these conversations can confirm - I should not have done that. The responsibility lies solely with me,” said Ronaldo. "I had the feeling that my stay from that moment on would only have harmed the team, and I did what I had always said: If I no longer feel that I am useful, I will pack my things and leave."
“Be available”
Ronaldo expects a sanction from the Portuguese association for his behavior. Afterwards it will be available again if needed. “So if I am physically fit and play for my club - and hopefully score goals - I will be available to compete and win for our national team after any suspension that may have been imposed on me has expired; just like I have always done to this day.”
Ronaldo left the national team last week after not playing in the 2-1 first leg in Norway. Originally, a deployment - just like in the third game - was not planned. Before the game, the coach asked him to play for 30 minutes, which didn't happen.
“Aggressiveness that I didn’t think I deserved”
After a clarifying conversation with Jesus and sporting director Simão Coutinho, the coach was supposed to clear up the matter at the press conference, said Ronaldo. «The appearance had nothing to do with our meeting. I heard comments and experienced an aggressiveness that I felt I did not deserve - a haughty and arrogant attitude that he had not even begun to show towards me the day before.
National coach Jorge Jesus was open to his captain's return after his captain's departure. «For me, Cris is a candidate for the squad the next time he is nominated – provided he plays for Al-Nassr. If he wants to return, he will return." At the same time, the 72-year-old coach, who trained Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia last season and led the club to the championship, spoke of a misunderstanding that could be easily clarified.
Ronaldo thought about retiring after the World Cup
So far, the 41-year-old Ronaldo has played 234 international matches for Portugal, in which he scored 146 goals - both records in international football. After the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, he was already considering the end of his national team career. "After the end of the tournament, on the return flight from the USA, the president of the association strongly asked me to reconsider my decision to leave because the FPF wanted me to continue," emphasized Ronaldo.
He was also asked for an opinion on Jorge Jesus during the search for the new national coach. “I informed the association president that in my opinion this would be the right choice,” wrote Ronaldo.
Defending champion Portugal won all four Nations League games in the two turbulent weeks and is in the quarter-finals early. Possibly again with Superstar CR7.
