Marca newspaper revealed the behind-the-scenes details of Cristiano Ronaldo's decision, as captain of the Portuguese national team, to leave the camp of Europe's Brazil.
Ronaldo left the national team camp in Denmark on Wednesday, heading to Madrid following statements made by Jorge Jesus, the national team coach, during a press conference.
The report clarified that Cristiano Ronaldo never requested to play in all matches for the Portuguese national team.
The agreement stipulated his participation in two out of four matches during this international break, and he accepted this without any objection, according to the report.
The issue lay in Jorge Jesus' statement that he would play in the next two matches, followed by his subsequent reversal of that decision.
Cristiano felt he had been disrespected by the Portuguese Football Federation, which had asked him not to retire and promised him full respect until 2027.
Furthermore, the Portuguese newspaper O Jogo revealed that the player decided not to return to represent the Portuguese national team again, preferring to retire from international football.
Cristiano Ronaldo has played 234 matches for the Portuguese national team, scoring 146 goals and providing 45 assists.
He won the UEFA European Championship once and the UEFA Nations League twice with Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo said via his official social media accounts: "After 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 camp."
He continued, "In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the reasons that led me to leave the national team, for which I have always dedicated myself."
He concluded, "Now is the time to wish Portugal and all my teammates success, without exception."
As controversy over Ronaldo's absence escalated, Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, decided to change his plans and join the senior national team camp, having given up attending the Portugal U21 match, and returned to Denmark to hold an urgent meeting with Jesus and Ronaldo.
The meeting took place on Wednesday morning at the hotel where the Portuguese national team was staying in Malmö, and was described as occurring in calm and friendly atmospheres.
However, Ronaldo's absence from Wednesday's training session opened a new chapter in the crisis, especially as it came minutes after Jesus confirmed the player's participation in training.
Portugal is preparing to face Denmark on Thursday in the third round of Group 4 matches in the UEFA Nations League.
Portugal tops Group 4 with 6 points, which also includes Denmark, Norway, and Wales.
Ronaldo played against Wales in the first round, in a match that ended with Portugal winning 1-0.
He missed the second group stage match against Norway, which ended with Portugal winning 2-1.
