Cristiano Ronaldo Not Retiring But Says He Should Be Punished by Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo Defends Portugal Walkout and Demands Strict Punishment

Cristiano Ronaldo is not retiring from international football, but the 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward says he deserves to be punished by the Portuguese Football Federation for walking out on the national team after a breach of trust with coach Jorge Jesus. The all-time leading scorer left the squad’s camp following a Nations League fixture against Norway.

The controversy unfolded during the September international window. Ronaldo was named an unused substitute during Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway in Oslo on September 27, marking only the third time in 22 years that he spent 90 minutes on the bench for his country. The forward stated that Jorge Jesus had previously agreed to a plan managing his fitness by omitting him from matches against Norway and Denmark, only to inform him on matchday that he would feature for 30 minutes.

“Everyone knows the rest. I warmed up from halftime onwards, watched the minutes tick by and wasn’t called on,” Ronaldo explained in a lengthy statement. “The manager had broken his word to me.”

Ronaldo Leaves Camp over Broken Promises

Ronaldo’s departure from Copenhagen ahead of the Denmark fixture followed a subsequent meeting attended by Al-Nassr sporting director Simão Coutinho. According to Ronaldo, the meeting produced an eight-point document establishing that he never demanded playing time and that using him in warm-ups without substitution was a mistake. The player asserted that the coach agreed to clarify the events publicly, but failed to do so.

“It was the second time he had broken his word to me,” Ronaldo stated. “I decided to leave the training camp without waiting for any further broken promises.”

Jorge Jesus strongly denied reaching any pre-agreed terms regarding a public apology during press appearances following Portugal’s subsequent 4-2 win against Denmark. Jesus characterized the situation as a misunderstanding, stating that he did not have to apologize to anyone.

Ronaldo Seeks Punishment for His Actions

Despite the rupture and his departure aboard a private jet, Ronaldo apologized to supporters and teammates, acknowledging that his role as captain heightened the severity of his exit. He explicitly called for disciplinary accountability from governing authorities.

“The Portuguese Football Federation must assess the consequences of my actions and punish me for them. I believe the punishment should not be reduced,” Ronaldo said. “I have already apologised, but I know that actions have consequences.”

Looking past the pending sanctions, the forward affirmed his intent to continue representing his country alongside his club commitments in Saudi Arabia, where he has scored 146 goals in 234 international appearances. “If I am physically well, playing for my club, with goals I hope, after serving the suspension that may be applied to me, I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team,” Ronaldo said.

Jorge Jesus confirmed that the selection door remains open for the veteran forward once disciplinary matters are resolved, stating that if Ronaldo is actively playing and wishes to return, no structural barriers prevent his selection.

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