Cristiano Ronaldo has apologised for leaving Portugal’s national team camp and failing to greet supporters after being left on the bench during the team’s match in Norway, but says he has no intention of retiring from international football.
In a lengthy statement explaining his decision to leave the camp, Ronaldo accepted responsibility for his actions and said he expected the Portuguese Football Federation to punish him.
“I should not have done it. The responsibility is entirely mine,” Ronaldo said, apologising to his teammates and Portuguese supporters.
The Portugal captain said his decision to leave followed what he described as a second failure by head coach Roberto Martínez to keep an agreement concerning his playing time.
Ronaldo said Martínez had told him before the international break that he would play the first and final matches of the camp, with his minutes managed because of fitness concerns.
However, during the match in Norway, Ronaldo said he was unexpectedly asked to prepare to play 30 minutes. He warmed up from half-time but was ultimately not brought onto the pitch.
According to Ronaldo, the incident left him frustrated and prompted him to leave the camp rather than wait for further discussions.
Ronaldo said he subsequently held discussions with Martínez and Sporting Director Simão Coutinho, where he believed the coach had agreed to publicly clarify what had happened.
Despite the dispute, Ronaldo made clear that his departure from the camp was not a retirement announcement.
He said he remains committed to Portugal and would be available for selection after serving whatever suspension is imposed on him.
“So, if I am physically well, playing for my club, hopefully with goals, after serving whatever suspension is imposed on me, I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our National Team,” Ronaldo said.
The veteran forward also rejected suggestions that he had lost his desire to represent Portugal, pointing to his record of more than 230 appearances for the national team.
He said he would still welcome the opportunity to play in farewell matches for Portugal but stressed that his immediate focus remains on competing and winning for the national team, rather than staging a farewell.
