Ronaldo apologizes, blames Portugal coach Jorge Jesus in statement
Cristiano Ronaldo apologized for his behavior after leaving the Portugal camp, while simultaneously accusing coach Jorge Jesus of failing to honor a pre-agreed workload plan. The incident occurred after Ronaldo was left as an unused substitute during a match against Norway.
Why it matters
This report covers the same high-profile disciplinary incident as Article 0, emphasizing the breakdown in communication between a star player and his national coach.
Hear this story Cristiano Ronaldo has apologized for leaving Portugal camp midway through the international window, but also accused head coach Jorge Jesus of breaking promises in an extraordinary statement released on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Ronaldo walked away from his national team amid a spat with Jesus, departing Copenhagen on Wednesday, Sept. 30, one day before a UEFA Nations League match against Denmark.
The 41-year-old started and played 65 minutes in a 1-0 win over Wales on Sept. 24, Portugal's first match of the window and the first match for Jesus, who took over from Roberto Martinez after the 2026 World Cup.
But the issue arose from Portugal's next match, a 2-1 win over Norway on Sept. 27. Ronaldo was an unused substitute in that game, and angrily walked down the tunnel at the final whistle instead of acknowledging Portugal's traveling fans with his teammates.
Also covering this story
7 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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Ronaldo apologizes to team and supporters for walkout
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Cristiano Ronaldo accuses coach Jesus of broken promises but leaves Portugal return open
“Apologize? For What”: Portugal Coach Gets Fired Up Over Cristiano Ronaldo Controversy
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