Sportsupdated 1h ago2 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo Says He Will Not Retire, Demands Portugal Punishment After Walkout
Ronaldo states he is not retiring from international football. Deserves punishment for walking out of Portugal's Nations League camp.
15 outlets told this the same way.
Ronaldo will not retire
Cristiano Ronaldo said he will not retire from international football and declared he deserves to be punished for walking out of Portugal’s Nations League camp. Ronaldo, 41, left the Portugal squad after being an unused substitute in the match against Norway and later learning he would not start against Denmark. Ronaldo said he wants to continue playing for Portugal as long as he remains fit and is performing for his club, and he added that he will be available after any suspension ends.
“Portugal coach Jorge Jesus said: ‘If he wants to, he’ll return to the national team.’”
Ronaldo also said the Portuguese Football Federation should punish him for leaving the camp, and he said he has already apologised and accepts that his actions have consequences. Jorge Jesus denied that there is a rift with Ronaldo and said the door remains open for the captain to return to the national team.
Broken promises dispute
Ronaldo accused head coach Jorge Jesus of broken promises, saying Jesus told him he would play against Norway but he was not brought on despite warming up from half-time. Ronaldo said, "The manager had broken his word to me," after he described watching the minutes tick by and not being called on. Ronaldo said he also believed there was an agreement about what would be said publicly, but he said the coach did not follow that agreement.
Ronaldo said he would accept whatever sanction the federation imposes, and he said he apologised to his teammates and the Portuguese people in an Instagram statement. Ronaldo said he would be available for the national team after his suspension period ends, and he added that he would like to continue competing and winning with Portugal.
Punishment, availability, next fixtures
Ronaldo said, "The consequence of this act of mine must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation," and he argued the punishment should have no mitigating factors. Ronaldo said he will have one or more farewell matches down the line, but he said his focus is competing for the national team. Portugal’s next batch of Nations League fixtures are not until November, where they will face Denmark and Wales, and the team will be back in action after Ronaldo’s walkout.
Ronaldo said he will be available as always to compete and try to win with Portugal once his suspension is over. Ronaldo also said he was physically fit, playing for his club, and that he hopes to be scoring goals when he returns to Portugal duty.