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Let the record show that Cristiano Ronaldo's disgraceful exit from international duty has not overshadowed what he has accomplished with the Portuguese national team across the last 23 years.
The 41-year-old may be heading toward the most undignified of sendoffs, yet the lasting memories of Ronaldo's journey with Portugal, once he finally decides to retire, will remain overwhelmingly positive.
The all-time scoring record, countless 'SIIUUUUUUUs,' the World Cup hat-trick against Spain in 2018 and, naturally, Euro 2016 triumph. That's what those who have proudly worn Ronaldo's No. 7 shirt over the past two decades will hold dear, not this bitter, petulant falling-out with Jorge Jesus.
And his chapter with the national team is far from over. In an extraordinarily detailed near-2,000-word statement laying out his account of the events that led to his exit from the Portuguese camp on Sept. 30, Ronaldo confirmed that retirement remains off the table and took responsibility for his immature behavior.
He anticipates being disciplined, but what sanctions could the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) actually impose?
Why Cristiano Ronaldo Expects Punishment for Storming Out of Camp
Ronaldo was clearly remorseful toward his teammates and the Portuguese public for the way he conducted himself after Jesus twice "went back on his word."
"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," he wrote.
Last November, FIFA effectively treated Ronaldo as a special case when it suspended the remaining two games of his ban for a year, allowing him to participate throughout Portugal's ultimately disappointing World Cup campaign. Whether he ever serves those final two games of that suspension is uncertain, and there's no guarantee the FPF will ban him for walking out of camp.
Under the Federation's disciplinary rules, Ronaldo could face a suspension of between one and six months, but only if his departure was deemed unjustified.
"Any player who, after being legally called up, leaves without justification or does not attend a training session, a match, or any activity of the national teams or related to the sporting representation of the Portuguese Football Federation or Portugal, shall be punished with a ban ranging between one and six months," the regulations state. "In addition, if the player is a professional, a fine ranging between five and 10 accounting units."
The financial penalty would be negligible, but the harshest punishment would see Ronaldo sit out the next two international windows and four Portugal fixtures.
When Could Cristiano Ronaldo Next Play for Portugal?
While Ronaldo himself appears to welcome punishment, the FPF is unlikely to hand down the harshest possible penalty.
The 41-year-old will almost certainly miss the remainder of Portugal's UEFA Nations League group stage campaign next month, though the nation's all-time top scorer could make his return for the quarterfinals next March.
"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," Ronaldo stated at the close of his message.
Jesus's squad demonstrated they are more than capable without their record scorer, claiming consecutive wins over Denmark and Norway following Ronaldo's departure from camp. The side also triumphed against Norway earlier in the window when he remained an unused substitute.
Nevertheless, many of the players in Jesus's squad grew up looking up to their captain, and Ronaldo's return will likely be warmly embraced at some stage next year. Even Jesus indicated he was open to patching things up, though that came before Ronaldo's public statement.
Assuming Portugal tops its group, it will face one of the four League A runners-up in the quarterfinals. Winning over two legs would book a place in the Finals, scheduled for next June. Should Ronaldo be back in the squad by then, it could even mark the final chapter of his entire career.