Jorge Jesus Breaks Silence After Cristiano Ronaldo Explains Portugal Exit

Last Updated:October 07, 2026, 3:35 PM IST

Cristiano Ronaldo has explained the circumstances behind his controversial Portugal exit, insisting he remains committed to the national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after failing to score during the Nations League match against Wales (Picture credit: AP)

Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus said after the team’s last match in the UEFA Nations League that he hadn’t read Cristiano Ronaldo’s statement yet, adding that he takes responsibility for the decision to bench the latter and for what happened afterwards.

Ronaldo on Tuesday accused Jesus of going back on his word over giving him playing time in Nations League matches, but insisted he remained available for Portugal.

In a statement spanning almost 2,000 words, Ronaldo apologised for walking out on the national team and said that he was willing to serve a suspension if necessary.

“I was in Leiria watching the [under-21] national team game. Now I am going to read the statement; I have nothing to say,” Jesus said while speaking to the media.

“I take responsibility for the decision and for what happened. But apologise for what? To whom? That’s a lie. Apologise for what? What was there to apologise for?” Jesus questioned later.

Jesus had left Ronaldo on the bench for the Nations League match against Norway. Before the next game against Denmark, Jesus said that Ronaldo wouldn’t start, prompting the forward to walk out of the national team camp.

Ronaldo also apologised to Portugal’s supporters but insisted that his actions were a response to Jesus’ ‘broken word’.

Ronaldo said that Jesus, who was appointed after Portugal’s Round of 16 exit from the FIFA World Cup, had presented him with a plan for the international window. It included starting the opening and final home games, while not travelling for the matches in Norway and Denmark.

Ronaldo rejected the proposal, saying that it would set a poor example for the skipper to stay in Portugal while his teammates travelled.

Ahead of the Norway game, Ronaldo said that Jesus asked if he was fit to play for 30 minutes. He agreed and started warming up at half-time, but was never brought on.

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Why did Cristiano Ronaldo walk out of the Portugal national team camp?

Cristiano Ronaldo walked out of the camp in response to Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus going back on his word regarding playing time. Jesus had left Ronaldo on the bench during the Nations League match against Norway and stated he would not start against Denmark, prompting the forward’s departure.

What did Jorge Jesus say in response to Cristiano Ronaldo’s statement?

Jorge Jesus stated that he had not read Ronaldo’s statement yet and questioned what he needed to apologize for, calling it a lie. Jesus took full responsibility for the decision to bench Ronaldo and for the subsequent events.

What was the initial playing time plan proposed to Cristiano Ronaldo for the international window?

Jorge Jesus presented a plan for Ronaldo to start the opening and final home games while skipping travel for away matches against Norway and Denmark. Ronaldo rejected this proposal because he believed staying behind while his teammates travelled would set a poor example as captain.

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