Cristiano Ronaldo has said he will not retire from international football in a lengthy statement on social media.
The 41-year-old Portuguese’s future has been thrown into doubt after he abruptly left his country’s Nations League camp last week following a estrangement with his coach Jorge Jesus.
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Ron apologized for his behavior, acknowledging that he must be held accountable for his actions.
The former Manchester United man said he was available for international selection, but accused Jesus of breaking his word.
As per Ronaldo, the Portugal manager has agreed to a plan under which he will miss progress fixtures against Norway and Denmark.
But on the morning of the Norway game, Jesus told him that he would play for half an hour.
“Everyone knows the rest. I was warmed up in the second half, I watched the minutes tick and it was not called,” said Ronaldo. “The manager had broken his word to me.”
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Ronaldo said that the decision was made after the Norway match to allow Jesus to clarify the situation in the next press conference.
But then the coach claims he presented a completely different version of the events to the media.
Ronaldo scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal, helping them win Euro 2016 and the League of Nations twice.
But at 41, he is no longer the force of nature he once was.
In the football superstar criticism came at the spectacle of the summer World Cup, where Portugal in the last tournament falling 16th.
Ronaldo also endured a disappointing start against Wales in the Nations League opener.
He missed the scoring opportunity and was replaced by Joao Palhinha after 67 minutes.