Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken publicly about his walkout from the Portugal national team, saying he is not retiring from international football and wants to be punished for what he described as a breach of the coach's trust, according to Sky Sports.
In a statement, the Portugal forward also said he was the one who chose Jorge Jesus to lead the team, according to LiveScore. The Guardian reports that Ronaldo accused Jesus of broken promises.
ESPN reports, citing sources, that Ronaldo will not return to the Portugal squad while Jesus remains in charge.
The 41-year-old's statement follows his departure from the national team setup, an episode that has drawn wide coverage across British and Portuguese football media. Ronaldo's comments place the dispute squarely between himself and the coach, rather than framing it as a decision to step away from the international game. By saying he wants to be punished, he appears to be acknowledging fault for the walkout while still directing criticism at Jesus over promises he says were not kept.
Ronaldo remains one of the most capped and highest-scoring players in the history of men's international football, and any extended absence would be a significant moment for Portugal. The Portuguese federation has not yet responded publicly to his remarks, and it is unclear whether any disciplinary process has begun.
What to watch next: whether the Portuguese federation or Jorge Jesus responds to Ronaldo's statement, and whether any formal punishment is announced.
