Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence over his decision to leave the national team camp, insisting that the move followed what he described as a breach of trust between him, the coach and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
Ronaldo said he had asked Portugal coach and FPF president to be honest with him if they no longer wanted him in the national team, but claimed they assured him that he remained an important part of the squad.
According to the veteran forward, he would have accepted the decision if he had been told directly that his presence was no longer required.
“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 claimed that during a conversation with the FPF president and the coach on the morning of a press conference, he specifically asked whether they wanted him to leave the national team.
“They replied in unison that no. That my place was in the National Team,” he said.
Ronaldo also rejected any suggestion that he had interfered with the tactical or technical decisions of Portugal managers during his nearly 25-year international career.
“Never, at any moment, have I interfered in any technical or tactical decision of any coach or national team manager,” he said.
Despite his grievances, the 40-year-old apologised to his teammates and the Portuguese public for leaving the camp.
He acknowledged that, as captain, his decision should carry consequences and called on the FPF to punish him without preferential treatment.
“I am not just any player; I am team captain, and that constitutes an aggravating factor,” Ronaldo said.
He added that football rules should apply equally to everyone regardless of status.
Ronaldo also addressed speculation that the FPF was preparing a farewell match for him, saying he expected to have one or more farewell games eventually, but insisted that his immediate priority remained competing for Portugal.
“When I think of the national team, what I really think of is competing,” he said.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner recalled remaining with Portugal after learning of his father’s death while the team was at a training camp, saying his commitment to the national side had always been stronger than his obligations to any club.
Ronaldo said he would continue to make himself available for Portugal if he remained physically fit and active for his club after serving any suspension imposed over the incident.
“I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team,” he said.
“This is, believe me, the purest of truths, he concluded.
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