Why Ronaldo left Portugal camp — Report

Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly left Portugal’s training camp after feeling “betrayed” by coach Jorge Jesus, following an alleged private apology over his treatment during a recent match.

Renowned Spanish sports journalist Edu Aguirre stated on Thursday while speaking on the football talk show El Chiringuito de Jugones.

Ronaldo’s departure from the Portugal camp had sparked speculation about his relationship with the national team after reports emerged that he had been left warming up for about 30 minutes without being brought on.

According to Aguirre, Jesus subsequently met with Ronaldo privately and apologised for the decision, promising to publicly admit that he had made a mistake.

“There was a meeting yesterday, Tuesday night. A meeting between the president of the Federation, the manager and Cristiano.

“Jorge Jesus apologised to Cristiano for the disrespect of making him warm up for 30 minutes and not even bringing him on.

“And he didn’t just apologise to him in private; he told him that he would apologise publicly. That he would publicly admit he was wrong. That was Jorge Jesus’s promise to Cristiano,” Aguirre said.

However, Aguirre claimed that Jesus later made comments at a press conference that contradicted the alleged private apology.

“Then he goes to the press conference and tells all these lies that nobody believes.

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“That is why Cristiano exploded. Cristiano exploded because of that, because he felt betrayed,” he said.

Aguirre said Ronaldo was particularly upset because he had allegedly expected Jesus to address the incident publicly after apologising to him in private.

He explained, “Your manager comes to you in private: ‘Hey, look, it’s like this. Come on, understand me. Okay, I didn’t handle it well. We’re in this together. Forgive me, and when I have the press conference I’ll clarify it, I’ll apologise. Don’t worry, everything will be fine, everything will be resolved.’

“Then 12 hours later you go to the press conference and make Cristiano look even worse, saying that you are in charge, and that Cristiano is just another player.”

Aguirre described the development as a “betrayal”, adding that Ronaldo’s reaction was linked to the alleged change in Jesus’ position after their private meeting.

Ronaldo’s departure subsequently drew a reaction from his sister, Katia Aveiro, who criticised Portugal following the development.

Jesus had also denied reports of a rift with Ronaldo, amid the speculation surrounding the captain’s departure from the camp.

The latest claims by Aguirre have not been independently verified.