Ronaldo Says He Will Not Retire From Portugal Duty, Accepts He Deserves Punishment

Cristiano Ronaldo has said he is not retiring from international football, even as he acknowledged that he deserves to face some form of punishment after walking out on the Portugal squad.

The forward's departure from the national team camp was described as a breach of the coach's trust, a characterization Ronaldo did not dispute. Despite the episode, he maintained that his time representing Portugal on the international stage is not finished.

A long international career

Ronaldo has been a fixture of the Portuguese national team for close to two decades, becoming the country's record goalscorer and one of the most recognizable figures in international football over that span. His recent comments suggest he intends to remain part of the squad's plans rather than step away following the incident.

The forward's acceptance that he should be disciplined, paired with his insistence that retirement is not on the table, leaves the matter of any sanction in the hands of Portugal's coaching staff. No further details on the nature of a potential punishment, or the circumstances that led to Ronaldo leaving the camp, were given.

Portugal's football federation and national coaching staff have not publicly outlined how the situation will be resolved. The outcome is likely to be watched closely given Ronaldo's continued prominence within the national setup.