Cristiano Ronaldo was provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation on Saturday after disciplinary proceedings were opened into his decision to leave the national team's camp in late September. The federation announced the suspension after an investigation was opened on Friday, with a final verdict and any further sanctions still to be determined.
Ronaldo left the squad ahead of Portugal's Nations League match against Denmark following a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus. He accused Jesus of breaking promises over his playing time after being left on the bench against Norway.
Ronaldo addressed his departure from the camp in a lengthy public statement on Tuesday, describing it as a breach of trust involving the federation's president and the national coach. The 41-year-old said he had been assured his place remained with the national team despite feeling his presence was no longer wanted.
"I decided to leave the camp without waiting for any further breach of word. For me the truth is still the most important thing in the relationship between people," Ronaldo said.
He said he had spoken with the federation president and the coach on the morning of a press conference and had offered them the chance to tell him directly if they no longer wanted him involved. "In fact, in a conversation I had with the President of the FPF and with the coach on the morning of the day of that press conference -- they can certainly confirm this -- I reaffirmed that if they did not want me there they should tell me," he said.
Ronaldo said he had never interfered in the technical or tactical decisions of a national-team coach during his nearly 25-year career, and that he respected coaching decisions but felt he could no longer stay with the group after what he called a broken promise.
Despite his criticism, the Portugal captain accepted responsibility for leaving the camp and apologized to his teammates and the Portuguese public. "I also owe an apology to my national team teammates for having left the camp," he said. "Despite the absolute breach of trust in the coach's word, as those who witnessed these conversations can attest, I should not have done it. The responsibility is exclusively mine."
He also called on the federation to hold him accountable, arguing that his status as captain should make the incident more serious rather than earn him special treatment. "The consequence of this act of mine must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation. I understand that the punishment should have no mitigating factors," he said. "I am not just any player; I am team captain, and that constitutes an aggravating factor."
Ronaldo also addressed speculation about a possible farewell to international soccer, saying his priority remained playing for Portugal. "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," he said.
