Barcelona: Cristiano Ronaldo opened the door for a return to the Portuguese national team yesterday and apologised for his walkout, while also accusing coach Jorge Jesus of twice breaking his word.
“I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team,” said Ronaldo in a statement.
After Jesus left the forward unused on the bench for a Nations League match against Norway. Then before the next game with Denmark said Ronaldo would not start and the 41-year-old walked out.
“I owe an apology to my national team teammates for having left the camp,” wrote Ronaldo.
“Despite the absolute breakdown of trust in the head coach’s word... I shouldn’t have done it. The responsibility is mine alone.”
Ronaldo also apologised to supporters, while explaining his decision.
“I apologise to the Portuguese people once again, but a broken word has, for me, a defining impact,” said Ronaldo.
Ronaldo said new Portugal coach Jesus had initially presented him with a plan for the international window which included starting the opening and final games at home, but not travelling for the Nations League matches in Norway and Denmark.
The Al-Nassr superstar rejected that proposal, saying it would set a poor example for the captain to remain in Portugal while his team-mates travelled.
Ahead of the Norway game, Ronaldo said Jesus unexpectedly asked if he was fit to play 30 minutes. He agreed and warmed up from half-time, without being brought on.
“The head coach failed to keep his word to me,” said Ronaldo, Portugal’s most capped player and all-time top goalscorer.
Former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward Ronaldo said he spoke with Jesus after that and agreed with him that the coach would apologise in a news conference ahead of the Denmark game.
The striker said he would serve any “suspension that is imposed” on him and accepted he should be punished for his actions.
