Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo reveals the whole truth

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo has decided to tell his side of the story in the dispute that has pitted him against his national team coach in recent days.

Cristiano Ronaldo felt betrayed by Portugal coach Jorge Jesus. CR7 left the Seleção das Quinas camp last Wednesday. As he had promised, the Portugal international spoke out in a lengthy statement.

"As I promised, I decided to recount, in the first person and without beating around the bush, the circumstances surrounding the last national team camp. After the 2026 World Cup, I wrote a letter to the Portuguese people, which I still have, containing the words I wish to address to them when I finally leave our team. At the end of the competition, on the flight back from the United States, the president of the federation asked me, and insisted, that I reconsider my decision to leave, because the FPF wanted me to stay.

Shortly afterwards, he asked me for my opinion on the name of the current coach, whom he was considering alongside other names he did not reveal to me. I told the president of the federation that, in my opinion, it would be the right choice. That is why, on the day the current coach was presented, I was genuinely happy with the choice. It was the right decision, as the results prove. A few days later, I received a first message from the new national team coach telling me that he would like to meet me in person. I agreed, and we arranged a meeting for the end of my holiday.

We met at the Cidade do Futebol, where my club was holding its pre-season training camp. That day, the coach told me that he was counting on me and that my presence was essential to his project. He presented me with a plan for my involvement right there. He told me that I would play the first and last matches and that, for physical management reasons, he would always make three or four substitutions per match.

At that point, he suggested that I not travel with the national team to Norway and Denmark. He proposed that I play the first match and stay in Portugal, then rejoin the group before the match at the Dragão. I immediately refused this proposal. It seemed obvious to me that I could not accept it. It was not because I would not play the matches abroad that I would stop being captain of our team. This privilege of staying in Portugal would not have set the right example. The coach eventually agreed with my point of view. This conversation took place in the presence of Simão Coutinho, sporting director of Al-Nassr, the person to whom the current coach reported throughout last season and one of those responsible for his signing by the club in 2025.

On the eve of the start of the camp, the coach came to my home in Lisbon, at his request, to speak with me again. The conversation was calm, and all the principles agreed in August were upheld. I played the match at Alvalade and, although I was substituted, I did not make an issue of it. I handed the armband to Bruno Fernandes myself, far from imagining that I might be taking my final steps as a player and captain of the national team. What mattered to me that day was our victory. Winning is always enjoyable; in Portugal and for my country, it is even better.

At lunchtime on the day of the match in Norway, one of the coach's assistants came to the table where the group was having lunch and told me that the coach wanted to speak to me. To my great surprise, the coach asked me whether I was ready to play 30 minutes. I was fully focused on my physical recovery, integrated with my teammates as always, and I thought I would not play that day. No problem.

This request was somewhat outside my physical recovery and training programme — because I was only supposed to play on the 4th at the Dragão — but of course I accepted. He told me to be ready because I was going to play 30 minutes. You all know what happened next. I warmed up from half-time, watched the minutes tick by and was not brought on. The coach had not kept his word. At the end of the match, I just wanted everything to end with a victory and to be alone. I did not go over to greet the supporters. It was a mistake for which I alone am responsible and which should not have happened. I apologise to the Portuguese people who supported us so passionately, I apologise to the fans, and I apologise to those who, although not Portuguese, may have travelled to see me and whom I may have disappointed.

Forty-eight hours later, the coach, Simão Coutinho and I had a conversation, since he had followed our discussions in August. It was an intense, very frank moment, without any filters. We agreed that there was only one way to bring this 'matter' to a close: the coach would repeat what he had just told me privately, in the presence of Simão Coutinho, but this time in the press room. What had been agreed was simple: the coach would begin the press conference with this subject, seeking to end the debate by telling the truth. He would say that I had never asked to play, not even for a minute; that it was the coach, and nobody else, who had proposed the plan for this camp; and that it had been a mistake to make me warm up without bringing me on, and that if it happened again, he would not do it.

We ended the meeting with the coach asking me to hug him, promising me that he would say at the press conference what he had just told me and that the matter was closed. I would not play in Denmark and would play the match at the Dragão. All of this took place in the presence of Simão Coutinho, as always. At the coach's request, a videoconference was then held between him, Simão Coutinho and Tiago Craveiro, during which we summarised what we had discussed. A brief document was drafted, which I personally approved and which, to my knowledge, was given to the coach, as he had requested.

The press conference unfolded as we know: his attitude had nothing to do with that of our meeting. I heard statements and aggression that I consider unjustified, an attitude of 'I want, I can and I command' that he had never shown me, either directly or indirectly, in private the day before.

The notes I approved were as follows: 'I think it is important, especially because it is the truth, to clarify certain things before talking about Denmark:

1. I alone, without anyone else, proposed a plan to Cristiano for this season with the national team. It was a long and highly constructive conversation.

2. I know how much he lives for and loves the national team, as well as the influence he has in the world and, even more importantly, the weight and positive influence he has had on the national team for 24 consecutive years.

3. The plan I proposed to Cristiano was accepted.

4. He never questioned my decisions. He was exemplary, loyal and professional.

5. The match against Norway was not part of the plan I had established for him. However, I felt that he had managed to recover physically after the first match and I told him that I might consider selecting him. Cristiano agreed.

6. I made a mistake by having a player of Pelé or Maradona's stature warm up and then not bringing him on. If it were today, I would not do it.

7. To put an end to this subject: I want Cristiano to be part of the national team. In fact, it is not simply something I want; it is a genuine desire. Fortunately, he believes in me too. He did so at Al-Nassr, and here as well.

8. As for not greeting the supporters, we have already discussed it. Someone who has played more than 230 matches for the national team does not need me to give him lessons in love for Portugal. It was a moment of frustration that changes nothing. He is the player who signs the most autographs, takes the most selfies and looks after the supporters the most. Let us not create problems where there are none. When you are unhappy, you react. That's all.'

None of these notes therefore indicated that the coach had even apologised to me. It was the second time he had failed to keep his word. I decided to leave the camp without waiting for another breach of his promise. For me, the truth remains the most important thing in relationships between people. Even if it hurts, tell me the truth. Moreover, during a conversation I had with the president of the FPF and the coach on the very morning of this press conference — they can confirm this without any doubt — I reiterated that if they did not want me there, all they had to do was tell me.

They only had to be honest with me. I would have accepted it, and I promised that we would prepare something beautiful, as I dream of it happening, and that nobody would be angry. I remember it as if it were yesterday. They answered unanimously that this was not the case. That my place was with the national team. Never, at any point, have I interfered in any technical or tactical decision made by a coach or national team manager during my nearly 25-year career. I accept, for better or worse, what I am asked to do. I respect the decision and, when someone does not keep their word, I believe that my place is not there.

I must also apologise to my national team teammates for leaving the camp. Despite having completely lost confidence in the coach's word, as those who attended these conversations can testify, I should not have acted this way. I take full responsibility. I apologise once again to the Portuguese people, but the failure to keep his word had a decisive impact on me. I felt that, from that point on, my presence would only harm the group, and I did what I have always said I would do if I did not feel useful: I packed my bags and left.

The consequences of my action must be assessed and sanctioned by the Portuguese Football Federation. I understand that this sanction should not benefit from mitigating circumstances. I am not just any player; I am the team's captain, and that constitutes an aggravating circumstance. I have already apologised, but I know that actions must have consequences. Those who operate in football, like me, know that regardless of everyone's status, the rules are the same for all.

On that subject, I have heard a great deal about farewell matches, about how I should receive a proper farewell and how the federation wants to give me that opportunity. I learned in life, often hungry and with nothing to eat, that nobody gives anything to anybody. I can promise all my fans, of course, and especially all Portuguese people, that we will play one or more farewell matches; we will have time for that. But when I think about the national team, what I really think about is competition. That is what I thought about on the day I was told of my father's death. I was at a camp with our national team and decided to stay until the end of the following day's match. I therefore did for my country what I would never have done for any club.

Therefore, if I am in good physical condition, if I am playing for my club — scoring goals, I hope — after serving the suspension imposed on me, I will be available, as I have always been until today, to play matches and win for our national team. That, believe me, is the purest truth.", he wrote.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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