🚨🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo:
"The coach broke his word to me.
At the end of the game I just wanted it all to end with the victory and to be alone. I didn't go to greet the fans. A failure that is solely my responsibility and that should not have happened. I apologize to the Portuguese who supported us there intensely, I apologize to the fans, and I apologize to those who, without being Portuguese, might have traveled there to see me and that I might have disappointed them.
Forty-eight hours later we had a conversation - me, the coach and Simao Coutinho - because he was the one who accompanied our talks in August. It was a deep moment, very visible, without any kind of filter.
We agreed that there was only one way to close this "case": for the coach to repeat what he had just said to me in private, in the presence of Simeou Coutinho, but in the press room. What was agreed upon was simple: the coach would start the press conference on this topic, and ask to close the matter by telling the truth. He would say that I never asked to play any minutes, that it was the coach and no one else who offered me the plan for this camp, and that it was a mistake to put me to warm up and then not bring me in, and that if it happened again he wouldn't do it.
We ended that meeting when the coach asked me for a hug, we assured me that he would say in the conference what he had just told me, and that he would get over it. I would not play in Denmark and I would play the game in Dargao. All this in the presence of Simeou Coutinho, always.
At the request of the coach, a meeting was held between him and Simeou Coutinho and Thiago Carabiero through a video conference, where what we discussed was summarized. A short document was produced that I myself approved and which I know was given to the coach, as he requested.
The conference was what is known: the posture had nothing to do with our meeting; I heard expressions and aggressiveness that I don't believe I deserve, an attitude of "I want, I can and I must" that he had never shown me, not even remotely, in private the day before.
The comments I verified were:
"I think it is important, also because it is the truth, to clarify a few things before talking about Denmark:
1. I myself, and no one else, offered Cristiano a plan for him for the sports season in the national team. It was a long and very good conversation.
2. I know how much he lives and loves the team and the weight he has in the world, and even more the weight and positive influence he has on the team for 24 consecutive years.
3. The plan I proposed to Cristiano was accepted.
4. He never questioned my options. He was exemplary, loyal and professional.
5. The game in Norway was not part of the plan I made for him. However, I felt that he was able to recover physically from the first game and I warned him that I might have to use him. Cristiano agreed.
6. I made a mistake when I brought in someone of Pele's or Maradona's stature to warm up and then didn't bring him into the game. If it was today I wouldn't do it.
7. Close the topic: I want Cristiano in the team. Actually I don't want him a little, I want him a lot. Luckily he also believes in me. He believed in El Nasser and he believes here too.
8. Don't congratulate the fans. We already talked about it. Those who have played more than 230 games in the national team do not receive lessons from me about love for Portugal. It was a moment of frustration that erases nothing. He is the player who gives the most autographs, takes the most selfies and shows the most affection to the fans. We should not invent problems where they do not exist. When we are not satisfied we react. That was all.
That's why none of those notes said the coach should even apologize to me.
This was the second time he broke his word to me."