The 41-year-old forward released a lengthy statement on Tuesday, giving his account of the disagreement with Jesus and insisting that his decision to leave the camp was based on what he described as a breakdown of trust between them.
Ronaldo said he had initially considered retiring from international football after the 2026 World Cup but was persuaded by the President of the Portuguese Football Federation to reconsider and continue representing the national team.
He also said he supported the appointment of Jorge Jesus as Portugal coach and was pleased with the decision when it was made.
According to Ronaldo, Jesus subsequently met with him and presented a plan for managing his involvement with the national team. He said the coach told him he would play the opening and final matches of the international window, while his playing time would be carefully managed because of his physical condition.
Ronaldo said Jesus later asked whether he could play 30 minutes in Portugal’s match against Norway, despite the game initially not being part of the agreed plan for his participation.
The forward agreed to the request and warmed up during the match, but was ultimately not brought onto the pitch.
Ronaldo said the incident amounted to the coach breaking his word.
“The coach had broken his word to me,” Ronaldo said in his statement.
He acknowledged that he was frustrated after the match and did not go over to greet the Portuguese supporters, describing that decision as his own mistake and apologising to the fans who supported the team.
Ronaldo said he later held a meeting with Jesus and Al Nassr sporting director Simão Coutinho in an attempt to resolve the dispute. According to the Portugal captain, they agreed that Jesus would explain publicly what had happened and acknowledge that the decision to have Ronaldo warm up without bringing him onto the pitch had been a mistake.
However, Ronaldo claimed that Jesus did not follow through with what had been agreed during the subsequent press conference.
He said the coach's public comments were markedly different from the private conversation they had held and that the situation further damaged his trust in the manager.
Ronaldo subsequently decided to leave the Portugal camp, saying he did not want to remain in an environment where he felt his presence could negatively affect the team.
“I decided to leave the camp without waiting for any further breach of word,” he said, stressing that honesty and truth were fundamental to his relationships with people.
The Portugal captain, however, accepted responsibility for his decision to leave the camp and apologised to his teammates and the Portuguese people.
He also said he understood that his actions could lead to disciplinary punishment from the Portuguese Football Federation, adding that his status as captain meant he should be held to the same rules as every other player.
Despite the dispute, Ronaldo made it clear that he has not retired from international football.
He said that once any suspension has been served, and provided he remains physically fit and continues performing for his club, he will remain available for selection by Portugal.
“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.
The forward also addressed talk of a farewell match, saying there would be time for such occasions but insisting that his immediate priority remains competing for Portugal rather than receiving a ceremonial send-off.
The statement comes days after Ronaldo abruptly left Portugal’s training camp in Denmark following the fallout with Jesus. Jesus had previously denied that there was a serious rift between them, while also leaving the door open for Ronaldo to return to the national team.
Ronaldo’s latest statement therefore leaves his international future open, although any return could depend on the outcome of possible disciplinary proceedings and the continuing relationship between the veteran captain and Jesus.
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