Ronaldo says Portugal coach Jesus broke his word, asks federation to punish him

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal's 41-year-old captain, issued a lengthy statement on Tuesday, 6 October. It gives his account of why he left the national team's Nations League camp last week, before the match against Denmark. Before leaving, he was an unused substitute against Norway.

In the statement, Ronaldo apologised to his teammates and supporters. He said the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) should assess and punish his conduct. He also said he is not ending his international career and will be available for Portugal after serving any suspension.

The FPF had not commented at the time of reporting. Al Jazeera and The Guardian said it did not immediately respond. BBC Sport said it had approached the federation for comment.

According to ESPN, the statement was a five-page letter that ESPN saw before it was shared on Ronaldo's social media channels. BBC Sport said it ran to nearly 2,000 words. ESPN said Ronaldo was unused in Portugal's 2-1 away win at Norway on 27 September. According to BBC Sport, he left after that match, once he learned he would not start against Denmark.

Ronaldo plays club football for Saudi side Al Nassr. He has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal.

What is disputed

Ronaldo says Jesus agreed that he would miss the Norway and Denmark matches to manage his fitness. He says Jesus later agreed to clarify events at a news conference using pre-agreed points. He says Jesus broke his word both times. According to Al Jazeera and The Guardian, Jesus denied on Sunday, 4 October, before the statement, that he had made any agreement with the player.

What each side says

Ronaldo says Jesus asked him on the day of the Norway match whether he could play 30 minutes. "Everyone knows the rest. I warmed up from half-time onwards, watched the minutes tick by and wasn't called on," BBC Sport quoted the statement as saying. He describes an eight-point document stating that he had never demanded playing time. He says Jesus's remarks at the news conference did not match their private talks and were aggressive in a way he did not deserve. ESPN dates that news conference to 29 September. "I decided to leave the training camp without waiting for any further broken promises," BBC Sport quoted him as saying. He says that, as captain, his punishment should not be reduced. According to ESPN, he said FPF president Pedro Proença persuaded him to keep playing after this summer's World Cup exit.

Jesus said after Sunday's win over Norway that the door remained open for Ronaldo. According to BBC Sport, he said there was no rift with Ronaldo, following claims that Ronaldo had refused to train. The reports do not say who made those claims. ESPN reported that Jesus told CMTV on Tuesday: "I am going to read the note now. I have nothing else to say."

The FPF president called the situation a misunderstanding after the Norway win, according to ESPN.

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include the eight-point document, an account from Al Nassr sporting director Simão Coutinho, or the words from Jesus that Ronaldo objects to.

Analysis

The next step lies with the FPF. It must decide whether to open disciplinary proceedings, and on what terms. Ronaldo's request for an unreduced sanction is unusual, but its practical weight is unclear until the federation responds. A detailed reply from Jesus could leave two conflicting accounts on the record. Other scenarios include a negotiated settlement or a sanction that ends before Portugal's November matches against Denmark and Wales, which ESPN described as his next feasible call-up. The independent evidence available so far does not settle the factual dispute, which rests largely on Ronaldo's own account.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.