Cristiano Ronaldo has indicated he intends to continue representing Portugal at international level, while also telling reporters that he warrants some form of disciplinary action for leaving the squad without his coach's permission.
Tensions between Ronaldo and the Portugal camp have remained unresolved since he departed the squad upon learning he would not be in the starting lineup for the Nations League fixture against Denmark. In the fixture before that, against Norway, his place on the bench went unused throughout the full ninety minutes.
He left the national camp without informing his teammates — a decision he has since spoken about openly, holding it against the standard of leadership he has said he hopes to embody.
In a post on Instagram addressing his exit from the national team camp, Ronaldo called on the Portuguese football federation to hold him accountable for his recent conduct, adding that any penalty handed down should stand in full without reduction. He also stated that head coach Jorge Jesus had advised him against travelling with the squad for the matches against Norway and Denmark, while noting that his earlier apology stood alongside an acknowledgement that actions carry consequences.
A place in the squad for the home fixture against Wales was confirmed for Ronaldo. He explained that he chose not to accept the proposal his coach had raised, noting that his status as the team's active captain meant taking on additional appearances in those circumstances would amount to an improper use of that standing.
On the day of the match against Norway, a conversation with his coach put the question to him directly — could he handle around half an hour of playing time? Ronaldo told reporters he had been prepared to come on at half-time following an agreement with the coach, though that arrangement was not honoured and he remained on the bench for the duration. He also said his focus had been on securing a victory so the occasion could pass without drawing further attention to him, and he chose not to acknowledge the supporters present at the stadium.
Ronaldo stated that the error in question rested entirely with him and that he had taken full ownership of it. Via a public address, he conveyed apologies to those who had backed him — with particular mention of anyone who had travelled to be there in person — over not meeting what those supporters had hoped for.
Ronaldo also argued that honesty stands as the foundation upon which meaningful human connection is built.
Ronaldo recounted being assured on two separate occasions — by both the federation and Jesus — that his position within the national team setup remained secure, only for those assurances to go unfulfilled. He added that once those commitments were not honoured, he no longer felt his participation belonged there.
Reports indicate that, despite the apology included at the close of his statement, Ronaldo put forward a condition — that he would not rejoin the national squad while Jesus remained in the coaching role. A private conversation between Ronaldo and Pedro Proença, the head of Portugal's football federation, had taken place only months beforehand, during which Ronaldo put forward Jesus as a candidate worth considering for the coaching position in July.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Jesus indicated that a return to the national team remained open to the player who has collected five Ballon d'Or titles, while placing the decision entirely in Ronaldo's hands.
Ronaldo indicated he would be available for selection once his ban concludes, while the football federation has not yet addressed whether further disciplinary action against him is forthcoming.
