Cristiano Ronaldo has said he left the Portugal squad after manager Jorge Jesus broke promises, and that he has not retired from international football.
Ronaldo quit the camp after being left as an unused substitute during Portugal's win over Norway in the Nations League. He apologised for failing to greet supporters after the Norway match and for leaving his team-mates, accepting that his captaincy made his conduct more serious.
In a statement, Ronaldo said the coach had told him he was counting on him and that his presence was fundamental to his project, and had presented a plan for his participation. Ronaldo said he was told he would play the first match and the last one, with three to four changes per match for physical management, and that the coach raised the possibility of him not travelling to Norway and Denmark.
Ronaldo said he refused that proposal immediately, and that the coach ended up agreeing with his analysis. He said that at lunchtime on the day of the match in Norway, an assistant informed him the coach wanted to speak to him, and that the coach asked if he was fit to play 30 minutes. Ronaldo said he said yes, warmed up from half-time and was not called, adding that the coach had broken his word to him.
He said that 48 hours later he, the coach and Simão Coutinho held a conversation in which they agreed the coach would repeat in the press room what he had said in private. Ronaldo said the coach promised to do so and that the matter would be overcome, but that the conference did not match their meeting.
Despite the row, Ronaldo said he will continue to be available for the national team.