Ronaldo Not Retiring but Accepts Punishment After Portugal Squad Walkout

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence over his dramatic walkout from Portugal's national squad last week, publishing a nearly 2,000-word statement on Tuesday in which he accepted responsibility but made clear he blames coach Jorge Jesus for the breakdown in their relationship.

What Ronaldo says happened

Ronaldo stated that Jesus had agreed he would miss the matches against Norway and Denmark to manage his fitness. However, on the day of the Norway game, the coach told him he would play for 30 minutes. Ronaldo warmed up but was never called on. "The manager had broken his word to me," he wrote. A subsequent meeting produced an agreed eight-point statement for Jesus to deliver publicly, but Ronaldo said the coach's press conference remarks diverged sharply from what was agreed — a "second time" Jesus had "broken his word." Ronaldo then left the training camp.

Punishment accepted, but door not closed

"The Portuguese Football Federation must assess the consequences of my actions and punish me for them. I believe the punishment should not be reduced," Ronaldo wrote. He added that provided he is "physically fit, playing with my team, and hopefully scoring goals", he would like to continue playing for Portugal after his suspension ends.

Ronaldo is Portugal's record cap holder with more than 220 international appearances. Coach Jorge Jesus has previously said the door remains open for Ronaldo to return, and insisted there is no rift with the captain. The Portuguese Football Federation has not yet publicly responded to Ronaldo's statement.