Cristiano Ronaldo makes Portugal retirement decision as stunning statement released

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COMMENTSCristiano Ronaldo took aim at Portugal manager Jorge Jesus after breaking his silence following his abrupt exit from his country’s Nations League camp.

The veteran striker had stormed out of Portugal’s squad after a reported rift with new boss Jesus after the striker did not play against Norway in Oslo.

The 41-year-old’s outburst, which was confirmed by the player on social media in a cryptic message, threw his international future into doubt.

Now, however, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward has said that he will remain available for international selection, but he has claimed that Jesus broke his word to him in the lead-up to the Norway fixture.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner apologised to his team-mates and the Portuguese populace, while also revealing that he would accept a punishment from the Portuguese FA as a result of his behaviour.

Rift: Jorge JesusGettyIn a 1,900 word statement on Tuesday evening, Ronaldo said: “If I am physically well, playing for my club, with goals I hope, after serving the suspension that may be applied to me, I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team.

“I have heard a great deal of talk about farewell matches, that I must have a dignified farewell and that the Federation wants to give me that opportunity. I learned in life, often hungry and with nothing to eat, that no one gives anything to anyone.

“I can promise all my fans, naturally and especially all Portuguese people, that we will have one or more farewell matches; there will be time for that. But when I think of the national team, what I really think of is competing.

“That is what I thought on the day I was given the news of my father’s death. I was at a camp with our national team and I decided to stay there until the end of the match the following day. I did for the country what I would never do for any club.”

Angered: Cristiano RonaldoGettyRonaldo claimed that he and Jesus had come to an agreement that the forward would sit out both matches against Norway and then Denmark in order to manage the veteran’s fitness, only for the Al-Nassr striker to be told on the morning of the Norway encounter that he would play half an hour.

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“Everyone knows the rest. I warmed up from halftime onwards, watched the minutes tick by and wasn’t called on,” the statement continued.

“The manager had broken his word to me.It was the second time he had broken his word to me.

“I decided to leave the training camp without waiting for any further broken promises.”

Ronaldo has won 234 appearances for his country, scoring 146 goals in that time.