Cristiano Ronaldo has outlined eight points he says Portugal coach Jorge Jesus acknowledged during discussions about their dispute, which followed Ronaldo’s decision to leave the national team’s training camp after warming up in the Norway match but not being introduced.
Ronaldo included the points in a lengthy statement explaining his departure and saying they reflected what had been agreed privately before Jesus addressed the matter publicly.
According to Ronaldo, the notes of their discussions contained the following points:
1. Jesus personally proposed Ronaldo’s national-team plan
Ronaldo said Jesus acknowledged that he personally proposed a specific plan for Ronaldo’s involvement for the sporting season.
“I personally proposed a plan for Cristiano, without anyone else, for this sporting season with the national team. It was a very long and fruitful conversation.”
Ronaldo has said the plan involved him playing the first and last of four matches and sitting out the other two.
1. Jesus recognised Ronaldo’s importance to Portugal
Ronaldo said Jesus acknowledged his love for the national team and the influence he has had over a long international career.
“I know how much he loves the national team and his global standing, and even more than that, how positive his influence on the national team has been over 24 consecutive years.”
1. Ronaldo accepted Jesus’ proposed plan
Ronaldo said Jesus acknowledged that the proposed arrangement had been accepted.
“The plan I proposed to Cristiano was accepted.”
1. Jesus said Ronaldo never questioned his decisions
Ronaldo said Jesus acknowledged that he had behaved professionally and had not challenged the coach’s decisions.
“He never questioned my choices. He has been an example to follow, loyal, and professional.”
1. Jesus acknowledged that Norway was not part of the original plan
Ronaldo said Jesus admitted that the Norway match was not initially included in the arrangement but later felt Ronaldo had recovered enough to play and warned he might involve him.
“The Norway match was not included in the plan I set out for him. However, I felt that he had physically recovered from the first match, and I warned him that I might have to involve him. Cristiano agreed.”
Ronaldo said he accepted the possibility of playing after being told he could feature for about 30 minutes.
1. Jesus admitted making a mistake by not using Ronaldo
Ronaldo said Jesus acknowledged it was a mistake to have him warm up without bringing him into the match.
“I made a mistake by having a player of the stature of Pelé or Maradona only warm up without involving him in the match. If it were today, I would not do it.”
1. Jesus said he wanted Ronaldo in the national team
Ronaldo said Jesus made clear he wanted Ronaldo to remain part of Portugal’s plans and that he trusted him.
“And in short: I want Cristiano in the national team. In truth, I do not want him a little, but a lot. And fortunately, he too trusts me. He believed in me at Al-Nassr and here too.”
1. Jesus defended Ronaldo over his failure to greet fans
Ronaldo said Jesus acknowledged their prior discussion about him leaving the pitch without joining teammates to greet supporters and rejected suggestions Ronaldo needed to be taught how to love Portugal.
“As for not greeting the fans, we talked about this matter earlier. A player who has played more than 230 matches with the national team does not receive lessons from me on loving Portugal.”
Ronaldo said Jesus described the incident as “a moment of frustration” and noted Ronaldo’s long-standing relationship with supporters.
Ronaldo said the eight points reflected what he believed had been agreed privately, but he added that none amounted to a forced apology by Jesus over the wider dispute. He said the omission of those points from Jesus’s press conference was central to his decision to leave the camp, which he described as a second broken promise.
The Portuguese Football Federation and Jesus have since said the door remains open for Ronaldo to return. Ronaldo has said he remains available after serving any punishment that may be imposed.
