Portugal’s all-time leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo has explained the dispute that led to his shock departure from the national team camp.
In a lengthy statement broadcast by CNN Portugal, the 41-year-old detailed the events that preceded his decision to leave camp a day before Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Denmark.
Ronaldo had reportedly boycotted training sessions after disagreeing with head coach Jorge Jesus over his playing time. The pair previously worked together at Al-Nassr, where they enjoyed a successful 2025-26 season that ended with the club winning the Saudi Pro League title.
Ronaldo’s actions has created a massive void between the two parties but Jesus has stated that he was open to a reunion but that was dependent on Ronaldo. (Click highlighted text to read full story)
On his part Ronaldo said in a statement that,
“I decided to quit the internship without waiting for any more broken promises. For me, the truth is still the most important thing in relationships between people. No matter how much it hurts, I need to be told the truth.
Moreover, in a conversation I had with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation and the National Team Coach on the morning of that press conference, which you can surely confirm, I reaffirmed that if they didn’t want me there, they should tell me.
They just needed to be frank with me. I would accept that and promised that we would prepare something beautiful, like a dream come true, and no one would be angry.
I remember it like it was yesterday. They answered in unison, “No.” That my place was on the National Team.
Never, at any point in my nearly 25-year career, have I interfered in any technical or tactical decision made by any coach or national team manager.
Whether I accept what they propose to do is better or worse. I respect the decision, and when they break their word, I feel that my place is not there.
I also owe an apology to my teammates on the National Team for abandoning the training camp.
Despite the complete breach of trust in the coach’s word, as anyone who witnessed these conversations can attest, I shouldn’t have done it. The responsibility lies solely with me.
I apologize to the Portuguese people once again, but the breaking of the word has a defining impact on me.
I felt that, from that point on, my continued presence would only harm the work group, and I did what I always said I would do if I didn’t feel useful: I packed my bags and left.
The consequences of my actions should be evaluated and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation.
I understand that the punishment should not have mitigating circumstances. I’m not just any player, I’m the team captain, and that constitutes an aggravating factor.
I’ve already apologized, but I know that actions have consequences. Anyone who’s in football like I am knows that, regardless of individual status, the rules are the same for everyone.
In this regard, I have heard a lot of talk about farewell matches, that I need to have a dignified farewell, and that the Federation wants to give me that opportunity.
I learned in life, often when hungry and with nothing to eat, that nobody gives anything to anybody.
I can promise all my fans, naturally and especially all the Portuguese fans, that we will play one or more farewell matches; there will be time for that.
But when I think about the national team, what I really think about is competing. That’s what I thought about the day I received the news of my father’s death.
I was training with our national team and decided to stay there until the next day’s game was over. I did for the country what I would never do for any club.
Therefore, if I am physically fit, playing for my club, and hopefully scoring goals, after serving the suspension that will be imposed on me, I will be available, as I have always been until now, to compete and win for our National Team.
This is, believe me, the purest truth.”
Cristiano Ronaldo
October 6, 2026
