The Albany Gazette - Ronaldo opens door for Portugal return, apologises for walkout

"I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team," said Ronaldo in a statement.

After Jesus left the forward unused on the bench for a Nations League match against Norway. Then before the next game with Denmark said Ronaldo would not start and the 41-year-old walked out.

"I owe an apology to my national team teammates for having left the camp," wrote Ronaldo.

"Despite the absolute breakdown of trust in the head coach's word... I shouldn't have done it. The responsibility is mine alone."

Ronaldo also apologised to supporters, while explaining his decision.

"I apologise to the Portuguese people once again, but a broken word has, for me, a defining impact," said Ronaldo.

"I felt that, from that moment on, my presence would only harm the group, and I did what I always said I would do if I didn't feel useful: I picked up my bags and left."

Ronaldo said new Portugal coach Jesus had initially presented him with a plan for the international window which included starting the opening and final games at home, but not travelling for the Nations League matches in Norway and Denmark.

The Al-Nassr superstar rejected that proposal, saying it would set a poor example for the captain to remain in Portugal while his team-mates travelled.

Ahead of the Norway game, Ronaldo said Jesus unexpectedly asked if he was fit to play 30 minutes. He agreed and warmed up from half-time, without being brought on.

"The head coach failed to keep his word to me," said Ronaldo, Portugal's most capped player and all-time top goalscorer.

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward Ronaldo said he spoke with Jesus after that and agreed with him that the coach would apologise in a news conference ahead of the Denmark game.

However Ronaldo said Jesus's subsequent press conference was completely different from what was agreed in their conversation, with an "aggressiveness" he had never previously experienced from the coach.

"It was the second time he failed to keep his word. I decided to leave the camp without waiting for any further broken promises," wrote Ronaldo.

The striker said he would serve any "suspension that is imposed" on him and accepted he should be punished for his actions.

"The consequence of this act of mine must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation," he explained.

"I understand that the punishment should not have mitigating circumstances. I'm not just any player, I'm the team captain, and that is an aggravating factor."

Portugal won all four of their Nations League matches and qualified for the quarter-finals with two games to spare.

(A.Thompson--TAG)