Ronaldo apologizes for leaving Portugal camp, blames Jorge Jesus for broken promises
Cristiano Ronaldo has issued a formal apology for leaving the Portugal national team camp early following a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo claims the coach broke promises regarding his playing time during the international window.
Why it matters
As one of the world's most famous athletes, Ronaldo's public conflict with his national team management highlights ongoing tensions regarding player workload and team hierarchy.
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
Ronaldo apologizes, blames Portugal coach Jorge Jesus in statement
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