Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he does not intend to retire from international football, saying he will remain available for Portugal once he completes any suspension imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation.
The Portugal captain addressed his controversial departure from the national team camp in a lengthy statement on Tuesday, October 6, explaining that he left after what he described as a breakdown of trust between himself, head coach Jorge Jesus and the Portuguese Football Federation.
Ronaldo also apologised to his teammates and the Portuguese public for leaving the camp, while accepting that his actions should have consequences.
Ronaldo says he will be available for Portugal
Despite the dispute with Jesus, Ronaldo made it clear that his international career is not over.
The 41-year-old said that if he remains physically fit, continues playing and scoring for his club, and completes whatever suspension is imposed, he will make himself available for Portugal.
“Therefore, 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.”
Ronaldo described that commitment as the “purest” truth.
Portugal's next international window is scheduled for November, with the team due to face Denmark on November 14 before travelling to Wales three days later. Coach Jorge Jesus had already said Ronaldo could return for the next call-up if he wanted to.
Why Ronaldo left the Portugal camp
Ronaldo said his decision to leave was not simply about being dropped from the starting lineup.
According to the Portugal captain, he had spoken with FPF president Pedro Proença and Jesus on the morning of a press conference and specifically asked them to tell him honestly if they no longer wanted him in the national team.
He said both men assured him that his place remained with Portugal.
Ronaldo then accused the coaching staff of breaking that understanding, which he said caused him to believe that remaining with the squad would be damaging to the team's working environment.
His departure followed a dispute over his selection during Portugal's Nations League fixtures. Ronaldo was an unused substitute during the 2-1 victory over Norway after previously starting against Wales.
Jesus subsequently acknowledged that Ronaldo had been sent to warm up but was not brought onto the pitch, describing the situation as a mistake.
Ronaldo says he has never interfered with coaches
Ronaldo also rejected any suggestion that he attempted to influence Jesus' tactical or selection decisions.
“Never, at any moment, have I interfered in any technical or tactical decision of any coach or national team manager in almost 25 years of career.”
He said he accepts decisions made by coaches, whether he agrees with them or not, but considers honesty and keeping one's word particularly important.
“For me the truth is still the most important thing in the relationship between people,” Ronaldo said.
Portugal captain apologises to teammates
Despite his criticism of the situation, Ronaldo accepted responsibility for walking away from the camp.
He apologised to his teammates and Portuguese supporters, saying that his position as captain made his actions particularly significant.
“The responsibility is exclusively mine.”
Ronaldo also said he understood why the Portuguese Football Federation could punish him and argued that his status should not protect him from disciplinary action.
He said that, as captain, his position could actually be considered an aggravating factor.
“I have already apologised, but I know that attitudes must have consequences,” he said.
Portugal's disciplinary rules allow for significant sanctions for players who abandon national-team duties without justification, including a possible suspension.
Ronaldo rejects talk of an immediate farewell
Ronaldo also addressed reports that the Portuguese Football Federation wants to organise a dignified farewell for him.
He said there would eventually be farewell matches but insisted that he is not currently thinking about retirement when he thinks about Portugal.
“When I think of the national team, what I really think of is competing.”
Ronaldo recalled the death of his father as an example of his commitment to the national team. He said he remained with Portugal during that difficult period and played for the country despite the personal circumstances.
He added that he would do the same by continuing to compete for Portugal while he remains physically capable.
Jorge Jesus has already opened the door
Ronaldo's statement comes just one day after Jesus publicly indicated that he would welcome the striker back.
Jesus said the decision ultimately belonged to Ronaldo and confirmed that the forward could be considered for the next squad if he wanted to return.
The FPF president has also described the dispute as a misunderstanding and maintained that Ronaldo remains part of Portugal's plans on sporting merit.
That means the immediate issue is no longer whether Ronaldo wants to retire from international football. Instead, the focus is likely to shift toward the disciplinary process and whether he will be available for Portugal's November fixtures.
For now, Ronaldo has made his position clear: he wants to keep playing for Portugal.
