Ronaldo says Jesus broke his word, apologizes to Portugal teammates — SkimNews
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- Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, released a five-page letter on Tuesday stating he remains available for Portugal if called up, while also explaining his fallout with coach Jorge Jesus after being an unused substitute in the 2-1 Nations League win at Norway on Sept. 27.
- Ronaldo said Jesus broke his word twice: first by asking him to warm up for a 30-minute substitute appearance and then not bringing him on, and a second time with an "aggressiveness" and "I want, I can, and I command" attitude in his post-game press conference on Sept. 29.
- Ronaldo apologized to his Portugal teammates and the Portuguese people, saying the responsibility for leaving camp was "exclusively mine" and that the FPF should impose punishment without mitigating circumstances because he is the captain — an aggravating factor.
- Ronaldo disclosed that FPF president Pedro Proença was the one who convinced him to continue his international career after Portugal's exit from this summer's World Cup.
- Ronaldo knocked back immediate talk of a farewell match, saying "we will have one or more farewell matches" but emphasizing his focus is on competing, citing how he once stayed at a national team camp the day he was told of his father's death.
- Portugal won all four of their Nations League games in the international window and next face Denmark and Wales in November, the earliest window in which Ronaldo could be called up again.
Why it matters: Ronaldo's letter puts the Portuguese Football Federation in an unusual bind: the captain and all-time leading scorer is simultaneously accusing the coach, demanding punishment for himself, and requesting to be recalled. Portugal's next fixtures against Denmark and Wales in November now hinge on whether the FPF suspends their 146-goal record scorer or lets Jesus and Ronaldo co-exist again.
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