Cristiano Ronaldo has decided against retiring from international football and will remain available for Portugal ahead of the November international break.
The 41-year-old captain confirmed his decision while giving his account of the events surrounding Portugal’s last training camp and his fallout with head coach Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo revealed that he had previously prepared a farewell letter to the Portuguese people for the time he would eventually leave the national team after the 2026 World Cup.
However, he said he changed course and remains committed to representing Portugal.
Ronaldo also disclosed details of his disagreement with Jesus, claiming the coach failed to honour an agreement over his playing time during the camp.
“The coach had broken his word to me,” Ronaldo said, referring to the incident in Norway where he was told he would play 30 minutes but was ultimately left on the bench.
He added that he had initially been pleased with Jesus’ appointment and had even told the Portuguese Football Federation president that he believed Jesus was “the right choice.”
Ronaldo also recalled his decision to reject a proposal to remain in Portugal while the team travelled to Norway and Denmark.
“It was not because I would not play the matches abroad that I would stop captaining our team. That privilege of staying in Portugal would not be a good example,” he said.
Despite the dispute, Ronaldo’s decision means he remains available for Portugal and could return to the national team during the November international break.