“As promised, I want to explain directly what happened at the last national team camp”.
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•After the World Cup, the FPF President insisted I reconsider leaving and asked my opinion on the current coach. I said he would be the right choice”.
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“In August, the coach told me I was fundamental to his project: I’d play the first and last games. He suggested I skip the away trips, but I refused: a captain doesn’t stay home. Simão Coutinho witnessed it”.
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“On the day of the Norway game, he asked if I was ready to play 30 minutes. It wasn’t in the plan, but I said yes. I warmed up from half-time and was never called upon. He had broken his word. Not greeting the fans afterwards was my fault, and I apologise”.
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“48 hours later, with Coutinho present, we agreed he would tell the truth in the press room: the plan was his, I never asked for minutes, and making me warm up without playing was a mistake. He asked me for a hug and promised. I approved a short document with those notes”.
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“That morning I had told the President and the coach: if you don’t want me, just tell me. Both said no”.
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“The press conference had nothing to do with what we agreed. I heard an aggression I did not deserve. It was the second time he broke his word”.
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“In almost 25 years I have never interfered in a technical decision. But when my word is broken, my place is not there”.
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“I apologise to my teammates for leaving. The responsibility is mine alone. The FPF should punish me with no mitigating circumstances; as captain, that’s an aggravating factor”.
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“There are talks of farewell games. But I learned, when I was hungry, that nobody gives anything to anyone. The national team, for me, means competing”.
“When my father died, I stayed until the next match was over. I did that for my country”.
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“If I’m fit, after my suspension, I’ll be available, as always, to compete and win for Portugal”.
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“This is the absolute truth”.
