Ronaldo asks FPF to punish him and accuses coach Jorge Jesus

Cristiano Ronaldo asked the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) to sanction him "without mitigating factors" for leaving the Portugal squad's camp. He did so in a five-page letter published on Tuesday, Oct. 6, according to ESPN. The forward, 41, who captains the national team, writes that he was wrong to leave and that he owes his teammates an apology.

The letter also targets the coach, Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo says Jesus broke his word twice. The first was in Portugal's 2-1 win over Norway on Sept. 27 in the Nations League: by his account, he was told to be ready to play about 30 minutes, warmed up and never came on. The second was at the press conference afterward, where Jesus allegedly did not say what the two had agreed.

According to La Nación, that agreement was an eight-point text the coach would read in public to close the dispute, including an admission of a mistake in how he handled the striker's minutes. Ronaldo says he approved it. That second breach, he writes, is what led him to leave camp.

Jesus has said little. On Tuesday night, according to Goal, he said he had not read the letter. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, according to La Nación, he said he had read it. He added that he will not speak further on the matter and that he will stay in his post at the federation.

There are two versions of what comes next. In the letter, Ronaldo says he will remain available if called up, once any sanction is served. ESPN reported the same day, Oct. 6, citing sources it did not name, that he will not return to the national team while Jesus remains in charge. Both are reported here as attributed and unreconciled.

At his club, Al Nassr, the picture is different. Coach Ange Postecoglou said on Thursday that Ronaldo is ready to play and in high spirits, according to ESPN. About what happened with Portugal, he added that he does not like to talk about it.

None of the sources consulted reports that the FPF has opened disciplinary proceedings or set a sanction. Portugal plays in November against Denmark and Wales, with no dates confirmed in those sources.