Cristiano Ronaldo admits mistake after leaving Portugal camp

Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a 30-day playing ban and a fine for leaving the national team camp without permission.

The incident stems from a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus after the 41-year-old forward was not given the opportunity to play.

Interestingly, Ronaldo later admitted his mistake and stressed that, as captain of the national team, he deserved an even harsher punishment, CE Report quotes STA.

The Portuguese Football Federation has punished Cristiano Ronaldo, who left the national team camp in Copenhagen on 30 September, just one day before the Nations League match against Denmark. The disciplinary committee imposed a 30-day playing ban and a €255 fine, Portuguese media outlet Noticias ao Minuto reports.

The dispute arose after the match against Norway, in which the Portuguese captain was not given any playing time. Ronaldo was dissatisfied, claiming that head coach Jorge Jesus had broken an agreement regarding his role in the national team. Jesus, however, denied promising the superstar that he would play.

Ronaldo then decided to take a rather bold step and leave the national team camp. In doing so, he violated the Portuguese Football Federation’s disciplinary regulations, which stipulate a playing ban of between one and six months for leaving a national team training camp without justification or failing to fulfil national team duties.

The disciplinary committee imposed the least severe penalty предусмотрed by the regulations on the 41-year-old forward.

Even more interesting is how one of the greatest football stars of all time responded to the situation. Ronaldo subsequently admitted his mistake and apologised for his behaviour. He also stressed that the federation should appropriately punish his actions.

“The consequences of my actions must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation. I believe there should be no mitigating circumstances when determining the penalty. I am not an ordinary player; I am the captain of the national team, which is an aggravating circumstance,” Ronaldo reportedly said, according to the Portuguese media outlet.

Although the Portuguese superstar received a 30-day playing ban, he could return to the national team as early as November. Portugal’s next matches are scheduled for 14 November, by which time his suspension will have expired.

However, the question remains whether Ronaldo will be called up at all. That decision will be made by head coach Jorge Jesus, with whom the forward appears to have found himself at odds following the incident.

Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença has reportedly already been working to arrange a meeting between the coach and the captain. Following the incident, Ronaldo also spoke about a breakdown of trust in their relationship. It will therefore be interesting to see whether the two can resolve their differences before Portugal’s next international fixtures.

Photo Instagram/cristiano