It was after Cristiano Ronaldo was left on the bench for the entire away match against Norway in the Nations League that the 41-year-old left the squad, despite having two games remaining.
"In time, I will tell the truth to the Portuguese people," Ronaldo wrote on social media that same day.
“A mistake”
Now, Portuguese newspaper A Bola has published a lengthy statement from the star forward, who claims that new national team coach Jorge Jesus broke two promises during their meeting.
"I decided to leave the national team rather than wait for another broken promise," Ronaldo writes.
The first broken promise was that Jorge Jesus wanted Ronaldo to play half an hour away against Norway, even though they had both agreed that the team captain would play only in the opening match at home against Wales and the fourth match at home against Norway.
Ronaldo warmed up for 25 minutes in the second half at Ullevål in Oslo last weekend, but was never brought on. After the final whistle, he went straight to the dressing room.
"I didn't go over to thank the supporters. That was my mistake alone and shouldn't have happened," he writes.
I apologize.
The second broken promise concerned Jorge Jesus not saying what he had promised to say at a press conference before Thursday’s away match against Denmark, after the two had spoken.
This prompted Ronaldo to leave Copenhagen on a private jet.
"I owe my national team-mates an apology for leaving the meeting. Even though confidence in the national team coach’s words has been destroyed, as everyone involved in the conversations can attest, I should not have done so. That responsibility lies entirely with me," he writes.
The star says in his statement that he is prepared to be punished by the Portuguese Football Federation for his actions, but does not plan to quit the national team.
