Portugal: revelations about the reasons behind Cristiano Ronaldo's departure

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly viewed Jorge Jesus's change of position as a betrayal after their private conversation about his absence against Norway. According to Edu Aguirre, the Portugal manager had acknowledged his mistake to the captain and allegedly promised to publicly apologize.

The tension between Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus reportedly reached a new level after Portugal's defeat to Norway. According to Edu Aguirre, a journalist with El Chiringuito, the two men spoke on Tuesday evening in the presence of Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation.

During the meeting, Jorge Jesus reportedly admitted that he had mishandled the situation. Ronaldo had spent a long time warming up during the match without eventually coming on. According to Aguirre, the manager apologized to the player for that decision.

Read also: Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo, it's over!

A promise of a public apology

Jorge Jesus also reportedly promised Ronaldo that he would publicly acknowledge his mistake at his next press conference.

“Not only did he apologize in private, but he also said that he would apologize publicly and acknowledge his mistake,” Edu Aguirre stated on the El Chiringuito set, in comments reported by Globo and Record.

According to the Spanish journalist, Jesus asked Ronaldo not to worry and assured him that he would clarify the situation in front of the media.

But during his press conference, the manager reportedly adopted a different stance. He stood by his sporting decisions and reaffirmed his authority at the helm of the national team. For Aguirre, this change in tone would explain the captain's reaction.

“That's why Cristiano is exploding, because he feels betrayed,” the journalist explained.

Ronaldo leaves the national-team camp

This revelation comes after Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from the Portugal camp. The captain left the national team after Jorge Jesus's press conference, as tensions between the two men had intensified since the match against Norway.

Ronaldo has not publicly confirmed, at this stage, Edu Aguirre's account of the private meeting and the promise of an apology. These details are therefore based on the Spanish journalist's testimony.

Portugal must now prepare for its next fixture against Denmark in a tense context. The management of the relationship between Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus will be at the center of attention during the national team's upcoming engagements.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

Related teams and leagues

Portugal

UEFA Nations League A