On October 6th local time, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo posted a lengthy statement on his personal Instagram account, responding for the first time in full detail to the controversy surrounding his sudden departure from the Portuguese national training camp.
According to him, the core issue of this incident wasn’t his demand for playing time, but rather the fact that the head coach, Jorge Rosseti, failed to fulfill the agreements reached between both parties. The first time was when he was scheduled to warm up, despite it being agreed that he wouldn’t play. In the second instance, after both parties agreed that the head coach would clarify the situation to the media, Rosseti didn’t follow the agreement and explain the matter at the press conference.
This ultimately led to Cristiano Ronaldo leaving the training camp on his own.
However, regarding his actions of leaving the national team without permission and not saluting the fans at the event, Ronaldo admitted that there were issues with his handling of the situation and expressed his willingness to accept any penalties from the Portuguese Football Federation. At the same time, he denied that this incident means the end of his national team career: there will be a farewell match in the future, but “not now”. As long as he is physically able, still in good competitive condition, and is called up again, he is prepared to return to the team and compete.
I would like to explain what happened over the past few days clearly.
Before this national team training session, I had a conversation with the head coach. Considering my physical condition and the schedule of matches, we have reached an agreement that I will not participate in the two matches against Norway and Denmark.
But on the day of the match against Norway, things changed. The coach told me that he hoped I could play for about 30 minutes.
I accepted this arrangement.
Therefore, starting from the halftime break, I continued to warm up. I was ready to take the field and kept waiting to be called upon, but time passed slowly, and in the end, I didn’t get a chance to play.
Everyone saw what happened.
For me, this is not a matter of ‘I must be on the field’. I have never demanded that I must get playing time, and I always respected the decisions of the coach.
The real problem is that we had agreed on my arrangements before, but what happened later was different from this agreement.
After the match, we had a conversation. Other people were also present during the conversation. We made everything clear, and we agreed that the head coach would explain the situation to the public at a subsequent press conference.
I did not ask him to make a public apology to me.
I just hope that the facts can be clarified.
We even organized several points that need to be communicated to the outside world, including: I did not request to play; I respected the coach’s decision; being forced to warm up for a long time but ultimately not playing was one of the issues that arose during the entire process.
However, at the subsequent press conference, what I heard was not what we had agreed upon beforehand.
For me, this is the second time I haven't kept my promise.
The first issue was regarding the competitions and the schedule for appearances.
The second point is about how to explain this matter to the public after the competition.
After that, I decided to leave the training camp. I didn't want to continue waiting for the third promise that never came true.
I want to make it clear: my departure does not mean that I do not respect the Portuguese national team, nor does it mean that I no longer want to compete for my country.
I have also once told the president of the football association and the coach very directly: If you think the national team no longer needs me, then let me know.
I can accept it.
If things really reach that stage, we can arrange a farewell match. I can say goodbye to the national team, teammates, and fans in the right way.
But both of them told me that wasn’t the case. They said I was still part of the national team’s plan.
So, of course, there will be a day to say goodbye.
There will also be farewell races. It might be just one, or there could be more than one.
But not now.
Now, when I think of the Portuguese national team, what comes to mind is still competition, matches, and helping the team win, not farewell.
As long as my body allows, as long as I continue to participate in competitions at the club, and as long as I can still score goals and maintain competitiveness, then after fulfilling any possible penalties, if the national team calls me again, I will be ready.
Of course, I must also take responsibility for my actions.
I shouldn't leave in that way.
I should also pay respects to the fans at the venue after the game. I feel sorry about this.
More importantly, I am the captain of the Portuguese national team. Therefore, I should bear a greater responsibility than others.
What consequences my actions should have, should be assessed by the Portuguese Football Federation.
If the Football Association deems it appropriate to penalize me, I will accept it.
But I hope everyone understands the full context of what happened, and why I ultimately decided to leave.
My feelings for the Portuguese national team have not changed.
When the national team needs me, and I still have the ability to help the team, I will be ready.
