Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence on his latest departure from the Portugal national team, giving a detailed account of his meetings with Jorge Jesus and claiming the coach broke an agreement over his involvement during the team’s October camp.
Ronaldo said his relationship with Jesus initially began positively after the Portuguese Football Federation president asked him to reconsider his decision to leave the national team following the 2026 World Cup.
The federation president also sought his opinion on the next head coach, with Ronaldo saying he backed Jesus as the right choice.
After Jesus was appointed, the coach contacted Ronaldo and asked to meet him in person. The meeting took place at the Cidade do Futebol while Ronaldo’s club was holding its pre-season camp, and according to the Portugal captain, Jesus told him he was counting on him and that his presence was fundamental to the project.
Ronaldo said Jesus then outlined a plan for his involvement, telling him he would play the first and final matches while his physical workload would be managed with three or four changes per game.
Jesus also suggested that Ronaldo could play the opening match and remain in Portugal rather than travelling with the squad to Norway and Denmark before returning for the match at the Dragão.
Ronaldo said he immediately rejected that proposal because, in his view, continuing as captain while remaining behind when his teammates travelled would not set the right example.
Jesus eventually agreed with his position, Ronaldo said, and the understanding between them remained in place.
readmore: Iheanacho returns with a goal as Super Eagles fight back in six-goal Russia thriller
On the eve of the start of the camp, Jesus visited Ronaldo at his home in Lisbon for another conversation. Ronaldo said the meeting was calm and that the principles agreed during their earlier discussion were maintained.
He subsequently played Portugal’s match at Alvalade and was substituted without making an issue of the decision.
Ronaldo said he personally handed the captain’s armband to Bruno Fernandes and was focused on the team’s victory, without imagining that he could be approaching the end of his career as Portugal captain.
The situation changed on the day of the match in Norway. Ronaldo said an assistant coach approached him during lunch and told him that Jesus wanted to speak with him. According to Ronaldo, Jesus then asked whether he was fit enough to play 30 minutes.
Ronaldo said the request came as a surprise because he had been focused on his physical recovery and had been working on the understanding that he would not play in Norway, with his next appearance expected to come in the match at the Dragão.
He nevertheless agreed to the request, after which Jesus told him to prepare because he would play for 30 minutes.
Ronaldo warmed up from half-time but was not brought on as the minutes passed.
“The coach had broken his word,” Ronaldo said.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
His statement presents the Norway incident as the point at which the agreement between the two men broke down.
Ronaldo has now provided his own account of the events surrounding his departure, detailing the understanding he says had been reached with Jesus before the coach changed the plan on matchday.
Pingback: Ronaldo reveals he had prepared Portugal farewell letter after 2026 World Cup - The Athletic NG