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Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal star breaks silence over national team walkout in statement
Cristiano Ronaldo delivers on his promise to explain why he walked out on the Portugal camp as he accuses head coach Jorge Jesus of broken promises and apologises to his team-mates and the people of Portugal
Tuesday 6 October 2026 21:14, UK
Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence over his Portugal walkout in a lengthy statement in which he declares himself available for the national team.
The 41-year-old, whose actions had raised doubts over his international future, also accused Portugal's new head coach Jorge Jesus of broken promises as he explained his reasons for leaving the camp.
Addressing the uncertainty over his Portugal future, the Al Nassr forward said in a statement on Instagram: "If I am physically well, playing for my club, with goals I hope, after serving the suspension that may be applied to me, I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team."
Ronaldo left the national team squad in Copenhagen on the eve of a Nations League fixture against Denmark after he was an unused substitute for a 2-1 win away to Norway on September 27.
See how Ronaldo issued his full statement below
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner claims in his statement that Jesus had told him he would play 30 minutes against Norway on the day of the game only to go back on his word.
"Everyone knows the rest. I warmed up from half-time onwards, watched the minutes tick by and wasn't called on," Ronaldo said.
"The manager had broken his word to me."
Ronaldo and Jesus, who used to work together at Al Nassr, subsequently held a meeting, which was also attended by the sporting director of the Saudi Pro League club, Simao Coutinho.
According to the statement, it was agreed that the Portugal head coach would clarify the situation, and an eight-point plan was drawn up detailing what would be said.
Ronaldo says there was no demand from him for Jesus to apologise but that Jesus' comments were not in keeping with the conversation they had behind closed doors.
"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 denied that any such agreement had been made with the player on Sunday when he left the door open for Ronaldo to return to the Portugal fold.
Ronaldo apologised to his team-mates and the Portuguese people over his departure from the squad and said he will accept whatever punishment is handed down to him by the Portuguese Football Federation.
The forward, who is his country's record appearance holder and goalscorer, also said he hopes his international career will not be limited to simply playing in a farewell game for Portugal.
Ronaldo added: "I have heard a great deal of talk about farewell matches, that I must have a dignified farewell and that the Federation wants to give me that opportunity. I learned in life, often hungry and with nothing to eat, that no one gives anything to anyone.
"I can promise all my fans, naturally and especially all Portuguese people, that we will have one or more farewell matches; there will be time for that. But when I think of the national team, what I really think of is competing.
"That is what I thought on the day I was given the news of my father's death. I was at a camp with our national team and I decided to stay there until the end of the match the following day. I did for the country what I would never do for any club."
