Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, has revealed an emotional conversation with her son following his departure from Portugal’s training camp amid a reported dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus. The 71-year-old said she was shocked by the incident, admitting that she cried after learning that her son had left the camp.
Speaking to Portuguese magazine TV 7 Dias, Dolores said she was saddened by how the situation unfolded and believed Ronaldo deserved greater appreciation for his contributions to Portuguese football.
“I feel sad, it’s normal. It was a shock, my son could have left through the main door, and instead he left through the small door, but it’s okay, God will take care of it,” she said.
Dolores also acknowledged that she had shed tears over the controversy but said it was important to release those emotions and find a way forward.
“I cried a little. It’s good too, to let go. We have to turn this around,” she added.
The footballer’s mother also shared details of her first telephone conversation with Ronaldo after news of his departure from the national team camp emerged. According to Dolores, her son reassured her that he would explain what had happened when the family had an opportunity to meet in person.
“He told me: ‘Mom, don’t worry, I’ll tell you the truth when we’re all together’,” she recalled.
Dolores said she encouraged her son to remain calm, although she acknowledged that her advice had not changed his decision to leave.
“And I replied: ‘OK, son, get over it’. And that was it. I told him to calm down, but well, his head decided to do that. We’ll see. I gave him all my support; it was no use,” she said.
Despite her disappointment, Dolores made it clear that she stood firmly behind her son. She also questioned whether Portugal had given Ronaldo the recognition he deserved after years of representing the country at the highest level.
“But it’s okay; he gave a lot to Portugal, so he’s always there. He was always Portugal’s hero. They’re not valuing him as they should,” she said.
“They don’t value Cristiano. He’s the Portuguese player we have.”
The controversy reportedly began after Ronaldo was left on the bench during Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway in Oslo on September 27. The forward was said to be unhappy after being informed that he would play for approximately 30 minutes but was not brought onto the pitch, despite warming up.
Ronaldo subsequently left Portugal’s training camp ahead of the team’s Nations League matches against Denmark. He reportedly felt that an agreement with Jesus over his playing time had not been respected. He also alleged that a separate understanding about how the disagreement would be addressed publicly was not honoured.
Jesus has disputed aspects of Ronaldo’s account, leaving the circumstances surrounding the disagreement contested.
The incident has drawn attention because of Ronaldo’s longstanding role in Portuguese football and his status as one of the country’s most prominent players. His mother’s comments have added a personal dimension to the dispute, revealing the distress the situation caused within his family.
Despite the disagreement, Ronaldo has maintained that he remains available to represent Portugal and is prepared to accept any disciplinary consequences arising from his departure from the camp. His mother’s comments, meanwhile, reflect her belief that his years of service to the national team should count for more as the dispute unfolds.
