Piers Morgan says Ronaldo left Portugal camp during Nations League over 'broken promises'
Piers Morgan, the TalkTV host, said Cristiano Ronaldo walked out of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League camp during the September-October international break after a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus that Morgan described as stemming from “broken promises.” Morgan made the claims on his show and said Ronaldo left the squad aboard his private jet.
Ronaldo started Portugal’s match against Wales but, the report says, failed to make an impact and was substituted before completing 90 minutes; he was then an unused substitute against Norway despite being asked to warm up in the second half. Jesus delivered a fiery press conference in which he rejected suggestions Ronaldo’s international career was over and stressed that team selection remained his responsibility. Recent reports indicate the forward has decided against returning to the national team setup while Jesus remains in charge.
Speaking on Piers Morgan’s Football Uncensored, Morgan said the dispute began after Jesus broke promises about how Ronaldo would be used. “It’s nothing to do with money, fame or any of those things. He was given absolute guarantees about how he (Ronaldo) would be used,” Morgan said. “They agreed he would play the first two games and then be rested for the next two.”
Morgan recounted that Ronaldo was told he would play 90 minutes in the Wales game but was withdrawn after 67 minutes. “In the first game, he was told he would get 90 minutes. This is manager to player – it’s important to remember the stature of the player we’re talking about – and he gets yanked after 67 minutes, so he’s a bit pissed off,” Morgan said.
The journalist also said Jesus apologised to Ronaldo and to Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proença and reportedly promised to explain publicly that Ronaldo should not have been substituted early. Morgan said Jesus instead defended his authority in public, a response he likened to Erik ten Hag’s handling of Ronaldo at Manchester United: “What he does is the opposite and pulls a Ten Hag.” “He goes out and tries to belittle and embarrass Ronaldo, put him back in his box, say all the players are important to me blah, blah, blah, which also pisses off Ronaldo,” Morgan added.
Morgan described the Norway match sequence that preceded the walkout: Jesus allegedly asked Ronaldo to play “30 minutes against Norway,” Ronaldo agreed and warmed up but was not brought on. “Then he (Jesus) goes to Ronaldo and says, ‘I know we would rest you the second two games, but I want you for 30 minutes against Norway, and he goes, ‘Okay, if that’s what you want, I’ll do it,’” Morgan continued. “That’s good of him because he agreed (to) different things, and then he warms up for 25 minutes but never gets on the pitch, so he’s annoyed at the lack of respect and the going back on his word.” “For him (Ronaldo), it’s a question of respect. Being promised one thing and the opposite happening, warming up and not being used, which he felt was very disrespectful, and eventually he said f*** you and got on a plane and left,” the journalist added.
Morgan also said Ronaldo does not expect to start every match automatically at his age, noting the forward is now 41. With the dispute reported to be unresolved, the coverage states it is unlikely Ronaldo will play another match for Portugal while Jorge Jesus remains head coach.
Ronaldo has indicated he will reveal the reasons for his national team exit at a later date, and multiple reports say he has decided against returning to Portugal’s squad while Jorge Jesus remains in charge.
