Cristiano Ronaldo says he deserves punishment for leaving Portugal camp but is not retiring

Cristiano Ronaldo has made it clear that his time with the Portuguese national team is not over, although he accepts he should face a sanction for leaving the camp last week. The 41-year-old captain walked out during the Nations League window after head coach Jorge Jesus broke two verbal promises, according to Ronaldo's version of events.

• Ronaldo says he is not retiring from international football and wants to keep competing for Portugal.
• The forward has asked the Portuguese Football Federation to punish him for leaving the camp.
• He accuses head coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word on two occasions.
• He apologised to his teammates and the fans, taking full responsibility.
• Portugal won both Nations League matches without Ronaldo in the side.

The dispute between Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus during the camp

Ronaldo released a lengthy statement, close to two thousand words, detailing his account of what happened. Portugal's all-time leading scorer says he had agreed with Jesus on a plan to manage his fitness and sit out the matches against Norway and Denmark. However, on the day of the Norway game, the coach told him he would play for half an hour.

The Al-Nassr forward explained that he warmed up from half-time onwards and watched the minutes tick by without being called on. That situation created the first disagreement. Later, in a follow-up meeting, Ronaldo claims they agreed on a joint version to explain things to the media, but the coach did not stick to it in his public appearance.

The broken promise that led to Ronaldo leaving the training camp

The Portuguese striker explained that an eight-point document was prepared. It stated that he had never demanded playing time, that he respected the coach's decisions, and that asking a player of the stature of Pelé or Maradona to warm up without bringing him on had been a mistake. According to Ronaldo, the version Jesus gave publicly did not match what was discussed in private.

It was the second time he broke his word to me. I decided to leave the training camp without waiting for any further broken promises.

Ronaldo described the coach's attitude as an “absolute breakdown of trust” and said he felt an aggressiveness and arrogance that Jesus had never shown him in private. Even so, he insisted that the decision to leave was his own and that he should not have made it.

The punishment Cristiano Ronaldo expects from the Portuguese Football Federation

Portugal's captain was blunt when discussing the consequences of his actions. He believes the Portuguese Football Federation should assess what happened and sanction him, and that the punishment should not be reduced. Ronaldo said he has already apologised, but that he understands every action comes with consequences.

Jorge Jesus, for his part, had previously said there was no rift with the captain and that the door remained open for him at the national team. In his statement, Ronaldo made it clear that once his suspension period ends he will be available to compete and win with Portugal, as long as he stays fit and playing for his club.

Ronaldo's future with Portugal after the Nations League

Ronaldo revealed that he considered stepping away from the national team after the World Cup, where Portugal went out in the last 16. He even wrote a farewell letter to the fans, but federation president Pedro Proença convinced him to reconsider his decision on the flight back from the United States.

The forward has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal, both world records at international level, and has won Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles with his country. His personal official goal tally stands at 979 for Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al-Nassr and Portugal, as he closes in on the milestone of one thousand.

Portugal won without Ronaldo and now turn to Denmark and Wales

The Portuguese national team beat Norway and Denmark without needing their captain. Portugal will be back in action in November, when they close the Nations League group stage against the same opponents: Denmark and Wales.

The controversy has divided Portugal. Part of the fanbase and the media back the coach, while others remain loyal to the most decorated player in the country's history. Ronaldo, for his part, has returned to training in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr and remains focused on extending his legacy.