Portugal’s star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has made it clear that he has no plans to retire from the national team immediately. Cristiano Ronaldo, who left the national team’s training camp after a dispute with coach Jorge Jesús, has said that he is still determined to play for his country and win titles.
The 41-year-old Ronaldo, who plays professional football for Saudi club Al Nassr, posted a lengthy statement on Instagram saying that he will be available for the national team if he is physically fit and playing for the club. “I will be available for the national team after I face a possible suspension sentence. I want to compete and win for my country in the days to come, just like today,” he wrote.
Ronaldo says that he was expected to take the field in the UEFA Nations League match against Norway, but the controversy erupted after the coach did not allow him to play at the last minute. He said that he had warmed up since the interval but the match was over while waiting for the time to be called on the field. “The coach broke the promise he made to me,” Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo and Jesus have previously worked together at Saudi club Al Nassr. After the dispute escalated, they had a discussion in the presence of Simo Coutinho, the sporting director of the Saudi Pro League club. According to Ronaldo, it was agreed that Jesus would publicly explain the incident. An eight-point plan was also prepared for this.
However, Ronaldo alleged that the coach’s public statement was not in accordance with the agreement reached in the discussions. He said that the coach broke his promise for the second time and decided to leave the training camp without waiting for further assurances.
However, Jesús has claimed that there is no such agreement with Ronaldo. He has kept open the possibility of Ronaldo’s return to the national team. Ronaldo has also apologized to his teammates and the Portuguese people for leaving the camp. He has said that he will accept any punishment given to him by the Portuguese Football Federation.
Responding to the buzz about his farewell match, he said that there is time for the game to be farewell to the national team but his priority now is to compete. “I can promise my fans and especially the Portuguese people that we will have a farewell game. There may be one or more games. There is time for that. But when I think about the national team, my focus is to compete,” he said.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, is the most played player and highest goal scorer for Portugal. The latest statement has weakened speculation that his international career will end for the time being. He has made it clear that his desire to play for the country and win the title is more important than a formal farewell from the national team.
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