Cristiano Ronaldo hits back: 41-year-old lashes out at Jorge Jesus for 'broken promises' and apologises to Portugal fans and team-mates in extraordinary 1,996-word statement after walking out on national side

Cristiano Ronaldo hit back at Portugal manager Jorge Jesus and apologised to his team-mates for walking out on them in an extraordinary 2000-word statement.

Ronaldo, who abandoned his country after a spat over being an unused substitute, stormed out on his private jet and promised he would tell his side of the story.

He's now done just that with a long-winded explanation of the behaviour that looked to have brought a sorry end to his international career at the age of 41.

In the bombshell statement, Ronaldo outlines exactly what he deems to be 'broken promises' from 72-year-old Jesus, apologises to 'the Portuguese people' and his team-mates, accepts he may be punished and insists he is still available to play if called upon.

Ronaldo claims the Portuguese FA persuaded him not to retire after the World Cup and asked his opinion on candidates to replace the outgoing Roberto Martinez.

The veteran forward says he spoke in glowing terms about Jesus, who he worked under at Al-Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) accused Jorge Jesus (right) of breaking promises and outlined exactly why he walked out on Portugal in a 2000-word statement

Ronaldo then argues that Jesus told him he would play 30 minutes at the end of Portugal's 2-1 Nations League win against Norway – only for him to be left on the bench for the duration. It was the first time in 18 years that Ronaldo had not played a minute for his country – injuries and suspensions aside.

This 'broken promise' is the basis for Ronaldo's fury, who said at the end of the game he 'wanted to be alone' and 'did not greet the fans'.

His decision to storm down the tunnel instead of clapping the fans is one area of contrition for Ronaldo, who apologised to the travelling supporters for his actions.

Ronaldo then claimed that he, Jesus and Al-Nassr sporting director Simao Coutinho agreed that the only resolution would be for Jesus to explain what happened in a press conference.

Jesus then went off-piste at the press conference and Ronaldo says he 'heard expressions and an aggressiveness that I do not believe I deserved.

He added in the statement: 'There was an attitude of "I want, I can and I command" that he never showed me, not even remotely, in private the day before.'

Ronaldo then outlined the eight points he says he green lit for Jesus to say at the press conference before the Portugal boss made a U-turn.

The striker also reveals that he offered his resignation if that's what the coach and head of Portuguese FA wanted, only for them to reiterate their desire to have him.

Georgina Rodriguez leapt the the defence of Ronaldo after his controversial walkout

'I have never interfered with a tactical or technical decision of a coach in 25 years of playing football,' Ronaldo went on to declare.

He then went on to apologise to his team-mates for leaving camp and accepted he may be punished.

'I did what I have always said I would do if I did not feel useful: I packed my bags and left,' he wrote.

'The consequence of this act of mine must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation. I understand that the punishment should have no mitigating factors. I am not just any player; I am team captain, and that constitutes an aggravating factor.'

Ronaldo rounded off his 2000-word statement by declaring himself available after any suspension is dished out to him, calling it the 'purest of truths'.

'If I am physically well, playing for my club, with goals I hope, after serving the suspension that may be applied to me, I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team,' he pledged.

Whether it is possible for Jesus and Ronaldo to reconcile remains to be seen but with his 42nd birthday approaching in February, the explosive row could well be the end of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's future in competitive international football.

Jesus remains magnanimous and two days ago insisted Ronaldo returning to the fold is a live possibility.

He explained: 'It's up to Cris to decide his own life. In the next call-up, if Cris is playing and wants to be in the national team, why not?

'Resentment? Nothing, it was a misunderstanding. In my opinion, it's easy to resolve. When will I resolve it? I don't know. The game is over, and only afterwards will we know how things will turn out.

'It's not up to me. To reach an agreement with two people, both people need to talk and agree. That's not up to me.

'Just because it was him, and perhaps rightly so because he's a symbol, this whole problem of him coming on, warming up, not coming on. How many players warmed up today and didn't come on? Will there be a problem? No.

'With Cris it's different, he's a symbol. But is it a problem? For me it wasn't a problem. If Cris wants to and is playing for Al-Nassr, he'll be in the next squad. We talked before this squad and we can talk before the next one. It's Cris who will decide.'

Bruno Fernandes (right) has held clear-the-air talks with Ronaldo (left) after the latter stormed out of the Portugal camp

And it seems his Portugal team-mates are optimistic a resolution will be found.

Full-back Nuno Mendes told Sport TV after the game: 'We're a united group, and Cristiano, as well as anyone else who isn't here, will always be welcomed with open arms.'

Joao Cancelo added: 'As Bruno (Fernandes) already said, Cristiano is our captain, he is the symbol of our national team, he is the best player Portugal has ever had and things will certainly end in the best way.'

Ronaldo's wife Georgina Rodriguez swiftly leapt to the defence of her husband by posting a fake Sir Alex Ferguson quote, which she deleted.

Georgina Rodriguez, 32, wrote of Portugal manager Jesus: 'I don't know how this man can carry the name of Christ,' and below her sniping comment was a fictitious quote from Ronaldo's former boss and legendary Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

It read: 'If Jorge Jesus knew in his heart that he had no intention of using him, then why did he call him up in the first place? To make a point? That’s not authority, that’s insecurity.'

Ferguson has not spoken about the Ronaldo row and the quote and imagery appeared to be AI generated.

The row has overshadowed Portugal's performances on the pitch, despite Jesus leading the team to four wins from four so far.

It will be fascinating to see whether he is still open to Ronaldo re-joining the group after Tuesday's astonishing development and attack on his leadership.