Portugal footballer Cristiano Ronaldo said he has not quit the national team.
Ronaldo, 41, left the national team camp after not playing in the matches against Denmark and Norway. In his 1,740-word statement, he accused head coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his promise.
Apologizing to his teammates and fans for leaving the camp while UEFA Nations League matches were still being played, Ronaldo said he had planned to issue a statement announcing his departure from the national team. However, he said Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, had persuaded him to reconsider.
Ronaldo said he would accept any penalty imposed after his sudden departure from the national team camp. The Portuguese footballer said the federation should assess the consequences of his actions and punish him, adding that the penalty should not be reduced.
Ronaldo has made 234 appearances and scored 146 goals for Portugal. He also played an important role in his country’s victory at the 2016 European Championship.