Portugal boss breaks silence on Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit after star promises to deliver ‘the truth’
· Yahoo Sports
It’s been a turbulent few days in the Portuguese soccer world, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career potentially having come far sooner than anyone anticipated.
Having withdrawn from camp on Wednesday before posting an eye-catching statement on social media promising to provide “the truth” surrounding his decision “in due course,” Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has now spoken out publicly on the matter.
Visit sport-newz.biz for more information.
Prior to their third of four UEFA Nations League games this international window, this time a 4-2 win against Denmark at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, former Al-Nassr boss Jesus said, via World Soccer Talk, “I will explain everything after the last game.
- Former Manchester City and England starlet dies at 32 as tributes pour in
- Bernardo Silva delivers brutal response after injuring Arsenal's Martin Ødegaard
“I have many years in soccer and I know that I did nothing that should have caused things to go differently. After the Norway game, we will talk about this subject. I will not hide or run away from it. Nobody can take away what Cristiano represents. He’s an icon and that’s not in question.”
Portugal’s four-game slate is scheduled to conclude on Sunday when they host Norway at Estádio do Dragão in Porto.
The saga seemingly began on Sunday when Ronaldo was dropped from the starting lineup for their 2-1 win against Norway at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo. The Al-Nassr star remained on the bench throughout before hastily leaving when the final whistle blew without acknowledging fans.
Reportedly left frustrated with his lack of gametime, supposedly having beenn told he would play at least 30 minutes, the irate 41 year old was then absent from training on Tuesday with the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) putting this down to their training facility in Malmö lacking the equipment he needed.
On Wednesday, crisis talks were held between Ronaldo, Jesus, and the FPF’s President. Unfortunately, it appears these talks didn’t quell the situation, with Ronaldo subsequently pulling out of camp.
To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE
“Following the National Team Coach's press conference, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the National Team's training camp,” he said in a post on social media.
“In due course, I will tell the Portuguese people the truth about the reasons behind my departure from the national team, to which I have always been dedicated. Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception.”
Since then, Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, has also spoken out on the matter. "CR7 deserved MORE RESPECT,” she said on Instagram. “The national team deserved more structure. Portuguese journalism deserved more competence and less speculation. As for the Portuguese people... they don't deserve to have the best at anything,” she said.
“We are envious, disrespectful and ignorant, and we deserve to return to the mediocrity we always had in football before CR7. Thank you for everything, CR7. You deserved MORE!"
Should Ronaldo have played his final national team game, he’d retire having made 234 appearances, scoring 146 goals and assisting a further 45. Since making his debut in 2005, Ronaldo has appeared in six FIFA World Cups, helped his country to its first UEFA European Championship in 2016 and two Nations League titles.