By
Arinze Izik

Cristiano Ronaldo has issued a detailed statement on Tuesday, revealing that Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus had agreed to address eight specific points about him during a press conference ahead of last week’s game against Denmark.

Ronaldo disclosed that he had approved a document containing the points following a video call that involved himself, Jesus, his advisor Tiago Craveiro, and Al-Nassr sporting director Simão Coutinho.

According to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, the meeting was held “at the coach’s request” and the document was subsequently “delivered to the coach, as he had requested.”

Ronaldo said Jesus’s failure to raise the agreed points during the press briefing amounted to “the second time he had broken his word to me,” adding that he then “decided to leave the camp without waiting for any further breach of word.”

The Al-Nassr forward’s statement also touched on his decision not to acknowledge the Portugal supporters after the match in Norway, a game in which he warmed up for a lengthy period but was not introduced. Ronaldo quoted the notes he had approved as follows:

“I think it is important, also because it is the truth, to clarify a few things before talking about Denmark:

1. I myself, and no one else, proposed to Cristiano a plan for him this sporting season with the national team. It was a long and very good conversation.
2. I know how much he lives and loves the national team and the weight he has in the world, and even more the weight and the positive influence he has had on the national team for 24 consecutive years.
3. The plan I proposed to Cristiano was accepted.
4. He never questioned my options. He was exemplary, loyal and professional.
5. The match in Norway was not part of the plan I drew up for him. However, I felt that he had managed to recover physically from the first match and I warned him that I might have to use him. Cristiano agreed.
6. I made a mistake by putting someone of the stature of Pelé or Maradona on to warm up and then not putting him in the game. If it were today I would not do it.
7. To close the subject: I want Cristiano in the national team. In fact I do not want him a little, I want him a lot. Fortunately he also believes in me. He believed at Al-Nassr and he does here as well.
8. About not greeting the fans. We have already spoken about that. Someone who has played more than 230 matches for the national team does not receive lessons from me on love for Portugal. It was a moment of frustration that erases nothing. He is the player who gives the most autographs, takes the most selfies, and shows the most affection to the fans. Let us not invent problems where they do not exist. When we are not happy we react.”

Ronaldo then clarified in his statement: “That was all. None of these notes, therefore, said that the coach should even apologise to me.”

Commenting on Jesus’s demeanour during the press conference, Ronaldo added: “I heard expressions and an aggressiveness that I do not believe I deserved, an attitude of ‘I want, I can and I command’ that he never showed me, not even remotely, in private the day before.”