Yesterday, the superstar Cristiano Ronaldo departed from his national team's training camp to return to Madrid via a private jet. The Al Nassr forward was reportedly upset by recent comments from Portugal's head coach, Jorge Jesus, who emphasized his authority by stating there were no issues with Ronaldo.
Ronaldo seemed to confirm the rumors in a post on his official Instagram account: "Following the national team's coach's press conference and a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team camp," the forward wrote. "At the right time, I will explain to all Portuguese fans the reasons behind my decision to leave the team, which I have always been dedicated to. For now, I wish Portugal and all my teammates the best of luck, without exception."
The tipping point appeared to be the match against Norway, where Ronaldo remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes, with Jesus opting for Goncalo Ramos and then Joao Felix instead. Portugal won the game 2-1, but at the final whistle, Ronaldo headed straight to the locker room without acknowledging teammates or opponents, and later had a heated exchange with the coach, his former manager in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo then refused to train, choosing to stay at the hotel instead. However, Jesus denied this version: "He didn't refuse to train yesterday. Conceicao didn't train due to injury, nor did Felix, as we were trying to manage fatigue, and Cristiano Ronaldo worked out in the gym. He will train today. It's the fourth day, so he will train." Instead, Ronaldo left Parken, where Portugal was based, in a Federation black van.
The Portuguese coach later clarified that everything had been resolved, reiterating his authority as the team leader: "I can decide whatever I want. I'm the coach. I told the player he wouldn't play. I said, 'I'll put you on the bench. If I need you for 30 minutes, you'll play, otherwise not.' No player will change my mind. Neither he nor anyone else in the football world. Not any president. Never, absolutely no one."
(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati