Ronaldo disputes national team role after leaving training camp

Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Instagram that he declined a plan proposed by Portugal coach Jorge Jesus that would have limited his involvement in the national team during the recent international break. The plan, according to Ronaldo, involved playing the first match against Wales and then remaining on the bench for subsequent games. Ronaldo said he rejected the proposal, citing his role as captain and the need to set a proper example.

Ronaldo also said he was asked on the day of a match against Norway to play a short stint, agreed verbally, warmed up, but was not substituted in. He described feeling upset after the match and chose not to meet fans who had traveled to see him. He later met with Jesus and Al-Nassr sporting director Simão Coutinho, after which he claimed Jesus agreed to hold a press conference with pre-approved talking points favorable to Ronaldo. Those points were later released by Ronaldo himself.

The Portuguese Football Federation reported that Ronaldo left the national team camp ahead of matches against Denmark and Norway, and that he had retired from international football. Ronaldo’s Instagram post also mentioned the possibility of a farewell match and a suspension for his conduct during the break, after which he said he would be ready to compete for the national team again.

When asked for comment, coach Jorge Jesus said he had read Ronaldo’s statement and would return to his work at the federation headquarters, adding that he had nothing further to say.