Ronaldo and Jesus dispute Portugal camp departure

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal coach Jorge Jesus have publicly disputed the circumstances of the forward’s departure from the national team camp, leaving unresolved whether the two can settle their disagreement and whether Ronaldo will return to the squad. Ronaldo says he remains available for Portugal, while Jesus has said a return is possible if Ronaldo is playing for Al Nassr and wants to represent the national team. Ronaldo said he left camp after warming up during a match against Norway but not being brought on. He accused Jesus of breaking his word about his role, saying he had expected to play. Jesus has denied that he and Ronaldo reached the agreement Ronaldo described. The disagreement centers in part on what was discussed at a meeting involving Ronaldo, Jesus and Simao Coutinho, Al Nassr’s sporting director. Ronaldo says there was an agreement for Jesus to clarify his situation publicly. The available accounts do not establish what was agreed at the meeting, and the dispute remains unresolved. Jesus said he makes the final decisions about substitutions and that a player’s status would not change them.