Yesterday, superstar Cristiano Ronaldo departed from his national team's camp to return to Madrid on a private jet. The Al Nassr forward was reportedly upset by recent comments from Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who, asserting his authority, claimed there were no issues with Ronaldo.
In a post on his official Instagram account, Ronaldo seemed to confirm the rumors: "Following the national team's coach's press conference and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the National Team camp," the forward wrote. "At the right time, I will explain to all Portuguese people the reasons behind my decision to leave the team I have always been dedicated to. For now, I wish Portugal and all my teammates the best of luck, without exception."
The tipping point was the match against Norway, where Ronaldo remained on the bench for the entire 90 minutes, with Jesus opting for Goncalo Ramos and then Joao Felix instead. Portugal won that game 2-1, but at the final whistle, Ronaldo headed straight to the locker room without acknowledging teammates or opponents, leading to a heated exchange with the coach, his former manager in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo then refused to train, choosing to stay at the hotel. However, Jesus denied this version: "He didn't refuse to train yesterday. Conceicao didn't train due to injury, Felix didn't either because we were managing fatigue, and Cristiano Ronaldo worked out in the gym. He will train today. It's the fourth day, so he will train." Yet, Ronaldo left Parken, where Portugal was based, in a Federation black van.
The Portuguese coach later clarified that everything had been resolved, reaffirming his authority as the team's head: "I can decide whatever I want. I'm the coach. I told the player he wouldn't play. I said, 'I'm putting you on the bench. If I need you for 30 minutes, you'll play, otherwise not.' No player will change my mind. Neither him nor anyone else in the football world. Nor any president. Never, absolutely no one."
(Associated Medias) - All rights reserved