Ronaldo breaks silence over abrupt Portugal exit

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the door for a return to the Portuguese national team on Tuesday and apologised for his walkout, while also accusing coach Jorge Jesus of twice breaking his word. "I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team," said Ronaldo in a statement. After Jesus left the forward unused on the bench for a Nations League match against Norway. Then before the next game with Denmark said Ronaldo would not start and the 41-year-old walked out. "I owe an apology to my national team teammates for having left the camp," wrote Ronaldo. "Despite the absolute breakdown of trust in the head coach's word... I shouldn't have done it. The responsibility is mine alone." Ronaldo also apologised to supporters, while explaining his decision. "I apologise to the Portuguese people once again, but a broken word has, for me, a defining impact," said Ronaldo. "I felt that, from that moment on, my presence would only harm the group, and I did what I always said I would do if I didn't feel useful: I picked up my bags and left." Ronaldo said new Portugal coach Jesus had initially presented him with a plan for the international window which...