Ronaldo says Jorge Jesus agreed eight points for Denmark press conference, then did not deliver

Cristiano Ronaldo said in a lengthy statement on Tuesday that Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus had agreed to make eight points at a press conference before the national team's game in Denmark last week. Ronaldo added that he issued the statement after the coach failed to raise those agreed points in the conference.

Ronaldo said he approved a document setting out the points following a video meeting that included Jesus, his adviser Tiago Craveiro and Al-Nassr sporting director Simão Coutinho, and that the meeting took place at "the coach's request" with the notes then "delivered to the coach, as he had requested". He said Jesus's failure to make the points at the press conference was "the second time he had broken his word to me". Ronaldo also referred to his omission to salute Portugal's fans after the game in Norway, saying he had warmed up extensively but was not brought on.

Ronaldo reproduced the text he said he had validated, introducing it with: "The notes I validated were the following: '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, proposed to Cristiano a plan for him this sporting season with the national team." 2. "It was a long and very good conversation." 3. "I know how much he lives and loves the national team and the weight he has in the world, and even more the weight and the positive influence he has had on the national team for 24 consecutive years."

He quoted the next items from the validated notes as: "3. The plan I proposed to Cristiano was accepted." "4. He never questioned my options. He was exemplary, loyal and professional."

Ronaldo quoted further numbered points, including: "5. The match in Norway was not part of the plan I drew up for him. However, I felt that he had managed to recover physically from the first match and I warned him that I might have to use him. Cristiano agreed." He also quoted: "6. I made a mistake by putting someone of the stature of Pelé or Maradona on to warm up and then not putting him in the game. If it were today I would not do it."

Continuing the validated text, Ronaldo cited: "7. To close the subject: I want Cristiano in the national team. In fact I do not want him a little, I want him a lot. Fortunately he also believes in me. He believed at Al-Nassr and he does here as well." He also quoted the section addressing the fans: "8. About not greeting the fans. We have already spoken about that. Someone who has played more than 230 matches for the national team does not receive lessons from me on love for Portugal. It was a moment of frustration that erases nothing."

Ronaldo then cited the statement's closing sentences: "He is the player who gives the most autographs, takes the most selfies, and shows the most affection to the fans. Let us not invent problems where they do not exist. When we are not happy we react." Reflecting on Jesus's conduct in the press conference he added: "I heard expressions and an aggressiveness that I do not believe I deserved, an attitude of 'I want, I can and I command' that he never showed me, not even remotely, in private the day before."

"That was all. None of these notes, therefore, said that the coach should even apologise to me." Ronaldo wrote, and he said he then "decided to leave the camp without waiting for any further breach of word".