Ronaldo accuses Portugal coach of breaking agreement

Cristiano Ronaldo has accused Portugal coach Jorge Jesus of breaking an agreement over his role against Norway and their later public explanation, while Jesus has disputed part of Ronaldo’s account. Ronaldo left the national team camp before the Denmark match, apologized for his departure and said the Portuguese Football Federation should decide whether he deserved punishment. The federation’s response was not reported. The dispute began during Portugal’s October Nations League camp. Ronaldo started against Wales, then remained an unused substitute against Norway. In his account, Jesus had told him he could play about 30 minutes in the Norway match. Ronaldo said he agreed, warmed up from halftime and was not brought on, which he described as a broken promise. Jesus gave a different explanation. He said Ronaldo could play 20 or 30 minutes if the match required it, but the decision depended on how the game developed. Jesus said he changed his mind during the match and acknowledged that he could have had Ronaldo warm up later. The disagreement also concerns what the two men discussed afterward.