Ronaldo does not plan to return to Portugal squad, CNN Portugal journalist says
In short
Russian outlets, citing CNN, reported on 20 October that Cristiano Ronaldo does not plan to return to the Portugal national team soon because he feels unfairly treated. The Portuguese football federation (FPF) suspended him for 30 days and fined him 255 euros; RIA Novosti says the ban ends on 30 October.
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Cristiano Ronaldo does not plan to return to the Portugal national team in the near future because he believes he was treated unfairly, RIA Novosti reported on 20 October, citing CNN Portugal journalist Rui Santos. TASS and RBC also reported on the CNN story. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to RIA Novosti, Ronaldo, 41, left the national team's base after a press conference at which head coach Jorge Jesus said the forward would not be in the squad for the next match. RIA Novosti says that in late September Ronaldo had been on the bench for a second-round group-stage match that ended 2:1. The agency added that media had reported on a possible end to his national-team career. It says Ronaldo later spoke of an "undermining of trust" by the coach, apologised to teammates and fans, and said he was ready to return. [ 3 ]
The FPF suspended Ronaldo for 30 days and fined him 255 euros, according to TASS, RBC and RIA Novosti. RBC describes the suspension as a punishment for leaving the national team on his own. RIA Novosti says the ban expires on 30 October, so he can take part in the national team's November matches. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Santos said: "Ronaldo prefers not to be called up to the national team. Cristiano Ronaldo does not feel he owes anyone anything. He thinks he was treated unfairly, he is still convinced he was betrayed." He added that Ronaldo is increasingly convinced the truth is on his side, even though he admits some excesses in his behaviour in Copenhagen. RBC, citing CNN, wrote that Ronaldo does not believe in the spirit of the FPF. [ 2 , 3 ]
RIA Novosti notes that FPF president Pedro Proenca tries every day to make contact with Ronaldo, but the situation has reached a deadlock. It says Portugal's next Nations League matches are on 14 and 17 November, against Denmark and Wales respectively. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The reports concern whether Ronaldo will play for Portugal in November, when the team has Nations League matches. The claim rests on one journalist's account as relayed by the outlets, and the documents give no response from Ronaldo or the federation to it.
Key facts
- The FPF suspended Ronaldo for 30 days and fined him 255 euros. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- RBC says the punishment was for leaving the national team on his own. [ 2 ]
- CNN Portugal journalist Rui Santos reported that Ronaldo does not plan to return to the national team in the near future because he considers he was treated unfairly. [ 3 ]
- RBC, citing CNN, wrote that Ronaldo feels betrayed and does not believe in the spirit of the FPF. [ 2 ]
- RIA Novosti says the suspension expires on 30 October, so Ronaldo could play in the national team's November matches. [ 3 ]
- RIA Novosti reports that FPF president Pedro Proenca tries every day to make contact with Ronaldo, but the situation has reached a deadlock. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Ronaldo will return to the national team The claim that he does not plan to return comes from CNN Portugal journalist Rui Santos as relayed by the outlets; the documents contain no statement from Ronaldo or the FPF on it. TASS's headline refers to his return under coach Jorge Jesus, while RIA Novosti says he does not plan to return in the near future.
- Whether Ronaldo will play in the November matches RIA Novosti says the ban ends on 30 October, so he could play, but the same report says he prefers not to be called up.