Six days after leaving Portugal’s camp during a four-match window, Cristiano Ronaldo has shared his side of the row with coach Jorge Jesus.
In an Instagram post, the 41-year-old forward said he walked out after agreed talking points from a crisis meeting were not followed.
The meeting involved Jesus, Al Nassr sporting director Simao Coutinho and adviser Tiago Craveiro. Ronaldo said the coach had promised to use the agreed words after a warm-up match against Norway caused a breakdown between them.
Ronaldo had spent the entire game on the bench and expected Jesus to ease the situation at his next news conference.
Among the eight points agreed were that Jesus had never questioned Ronaldo’s decisions, had been exemplary, truly wanted him in the squad, and that Ronaldo signs the most autographs and takes the most selfies, showing the most affection to fans.
The key point asked Jesus to admit it was a mistake to make a player of Pelé or Maradona calibre warm up without using him, and promise not to do it again.
When Jesus did not repeat the points, Ronaldo felt betrayed and left camp.
Nearly a week later, he said he is ready to accept sanctions, has no plans to retire internationally and still hopes to earn at least one more cap.
