Ronaldo breaks silence on Portugal walkout: 'Coach broke his promise twice'

Cristiano Ronaldo, who sparked controversy by walking out on the Portugal national team, has broken his silence with a lengthy written statement. He accused coach Jorge Jesus of breaking promises twice while also accepting personal responsibility and saying he is prepared to face punishment.

Ronaldo posted a 10-page statement on his social media Wednesday (Korean Standard Time), detailing the circumstances behind his recent departure from the squad.

Ronaldo started Portugal's first UEFA Nations League match against Wales on Sept. 25, playing 67 minutes, but was left on the bench for the second game against Norway three days later. After that match, he headed straight to the locker room rather than joining teammates who went to greet Portuguese fans who had traveled to support the side.

When Jesus then indicated he would not start Ronaldo in the third match against Denmark, Ronaldo packed his bags and left the camp without authorization on Thursday.

At the time, he left a message saying, "When the time comes, I will tell the truth to all Portuguese people about why I left the national team. I wish the Portugal national team and my teammates good luck."

He has now publicly explained his reasons for leaving.

Ronaldo said he had decided to retire after the 2026 North and Central America World Cup but was asked by the football association president to reconsider. He added that he had offered his opinion on a new head coach and that Jesus was ultimately chosen. It was the relationship with Jesus that deteriorated and led to his walkout, he said.

"Jesus broke his promise to me for the first time by not playing me against Norway, and for the second time through the aggressive remarks he directed at me in a post-match press interview," Ronaldo said.

According to Ronaldo, Jesus asked him on the day of the Norway match whether he could play about 30 minutes, and Ronaldo warmed up from halftime in preparation for a second-half appearance. He was never brought on.

"Not going to greet the fans after the match was my responsibility, and I should not have done that," he said.

Ronaldo also said he spoke with Jesus two days after the Norway game and that they had agreed the coach would accurately explain at a press conference why Ronaldo had not played — but that Jesus broke that agreement and attacked him instead.

He nonetheless repeatedly apologized for his decision to leave the squad.

"I apologize to my teammates for leaving the camp. The responsibility for leaving the national team rests entirely with me," Ronaldo said. "My actions should be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation. As team captain, I should receive a heavier penalty."

He drew a firm line on the possibility of retiring from international football. "Once I have served whatever disciplinary measures are imposed on me, I will be ready to compete and win for the national team, as I always have been," he said.