Cristiano: I will not retire internationally, and I await the harshest punishment

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed in an official statement the details surrounding his crisis with the Portugal national team and coach Jorge Jesus, which led to his departure from the national camp.

The Don stated in his statement: "After 48 hours from the match against Wales, I held a meeting with the coach and Simão (director of Al Nassr), as he was aware of our previous discussions in August. It was a very deep and direct session, and there was no attempt to hide things or sugarcoat them."

He added: "We agreed that the only way to end this crisis is for the coach to repeat to Simão Coutinho what he told me during our private conversation, but this time in front of the media at the press conference."

He said: "The agreement was simple: the coach was to start his press conference by talking about this issue and end it by telling the truth, clarifying that he never asked me to play for a certain number of minutes."

He noted: "The plan for this period of the camp was set by the coach himself, and no one else asked for it. The mistake was in making me start the warm-up and then not including me. He said that if he could turn back time, he wouldn't repeat it. At the end of the meeting, the coach asked me to hug each other and promised that he would say in the press conference what he just told me, and that the matter would end there."

He emphasized: "It was also agreed that I would not participate against Denmark and that I would play the match against Porto, all in the presence of Simão, and at the coach's request, a video meeting was held between him, Simão, and Tiago, during which a summary of what was agreed upon was made, and a short document was prepared that I personally approved and was delivered to the coach with my knowledge and at his request."

He added: "But the press conference for the match against Denmark did not go as I expected. The way the coach spoke was completely different from the atmosphere of our previous meeting, and during it, I heard phrases and a sharp tone that I did not think were justified. There was a style that I felt was based on the idea: I want, I can, and I am the one who decides, which were things I did not hear from him during our private conversation the day before."

Cristiano Ronaldo clarified the points he agreed upon, which are:

Firstly, the coach personally suggested to me the plan for participating with the national team during the season, without any interference from anyone else, and that our conversation was long and fruitful.

Secondly, he knows well the size of my love for the Portugal national team and what it represents for me, especially after more than 24 years of representing the national team and the impact I have always tried to leave in it.

Thirdly, I agreed to the plan that was proposed.

Fourthly, I did not question his decisions, and I was respectful, loyal, and professional in my dealings with him.

Fifthly, the match against Norway was not part of the original plan he had set for my participation, but he saw that I had regained my physical fitness after the first match, so he told me that he might need to include me, and I agreed.

Sixthly, the coach acknowledged that he erred when he had a player of significant stature like me start warming up but then not participate. He stated that if he could return to that moment, he would not have done that.

Seventhly, the coach confirmed that he wants me with the national team, stating that he wants me badly, pointing out that he believes in me just as I believed in him when he was at Al Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo stated: "As for not saluting the fans after the Norway match, we have already discussed this matter. A player who has played more than 230 matches with the national team does not need lessons in love for Portugal. It was a moment of frustration, but it does not erase everything I have given to the fans. I am the player who signs the most autographs, takes the most photos with supporters, and shows them the most love. There is no need to create a problem out of something that wasn't one. When we feel anger or frustration, we may act differently, and that’s all there is to it."

He continued: "But none of those points included an apology from the coach to me, and this was the second time I felt he had not kept his word, so I decided to withdraw from training and not wait for more promises that may not be fulfilled. For me, the truth remains the most important thing in relationships between people, and no matter how painful it is, I need others to tell me the truth."

He added: "In a conversation I had with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation and the coach this morning at the press conference, I confirmed to them once again that if they did not want me in the national team, they should just tell me that honestly, I would accept the decision, and I said that we could then prepare something beautiful, as I hope will happen in the future, without anyone getting angry with each other. I remember well that they both answered at the same time with a no, and confirmed that my place is in the Portuguese national team."

He completed: "During nearly 25 years of my career, I have never interfered in any technical or tactical decision made by any coach with the club or the national team. I accept decisions, whether they are in my favor or against me, and I respect them. But when the word given to me is not honored, I feel that my presence no longer has a place, and I would also like to apologize to my teammates for leaving the camp. Although I have completely lost trust in the coach, which anyone who attended these conversations can confirm, I should not have left in this way.

Cristiano Ronaldo stated: "The responsibility for this decision lies solely with me, and I repeat my apology to the people of Portugal, but breaking the agreement left a deep impact on me. I felt that my presence at that moment could harm the group, and so I did what I have always said I would do when I feel I am no longer useful: I packed my things and left. The Portuguese Football Federation must assess the consequences of my actions and decide on the appropriate punishment, and I believe that the punishment should not be reduced. I am not an ordinary player; I am the captain of the national team, and that makes my responsibility greater. I have already apologized, but I know that actions must have consequences. Everyone who works in football knows that the rules must apply to everyone, regardless of a person's status."

Cristiano Ronaldo concluded: "I have heard a lot recently about farewell matches, and that I need a proper farewell, and that the federation wants to give me this opportunity. I have learned in my life, during times when I was hungry and had nothing to eat, that no one gives you anything for free. I can promise all my followers, especially the people of Portugal, that we will have one or more farewell matches, and the right time for that will come. But when I think of the Portugal national team, the first thing that comes to my mind is competition. That is what I thought about the day I received the news of my father's death. I was with the national team at that time, and I decided to stay until the end of the match that was scheduled for the next day. I did something for my country that I would not have done for any club, and for that reason, if I am in good physical condition, and I am participating with my team and scoring goals, I will be available, as I always have been, to return to the national team after the penalty that will be imposed on me, in order to compete and achieve victories with my national team. This is the truth, clearly."