Cristiano Ronaldo’s explanation for his abrupt departure from Portugal’s national team camp has triggered a strong reaction across the country. The Al-Nassr forward detailed his dispute with coach Jorge Jesus after he started on the bench against Norway and never entered the game.
Ronaldo claims Jesus told him to prepare for a 30-minute appearance, but the coach never called him onto the pitch despite making him warm up from halftime. “I warmed up from halftime onwards, watched the minutes tick by, and was never called upon to play,” Ronaldo explained.
A meeting involving Jesus and Al-Nassr sporting director Simão Coutinho then aimed to settle the dispute, with Ronaldo expecting a public apology from the coach. That solution never materialized.
Former Portugal international António Simões has called for both sides to end the dispute through dialogue. “Let them meet, talk, and find a solution,” he told A Bola, urging everyone to put the national team’s interests first. For now, however, a return looks unlikely.
Record editor-in-chief Bernardo Ribeiro says Ronaldo still has “a long road ahead” before he can resolve the conflict with the federation, while reports suggest he could face a six-month suspension for leaving the national team camp.
