Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has left the national team’s training camp ahead of the Nations League match against Denmark, following tensions with head coach Jorge Jesus over his role in the team.
The 41-year-old forward announced his departure after the coach confirmed that he would not start Thursday’s match. Ronaldo said his decision followed the coach’s press conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença. He added that he would explain the reasons for his departure at a later date.
Following the national team coach’s press conference, and after having a conversation with the Portuguese Football Federation president, I decided to leave the national team’s training camp,” Ronaldo said in a statement shared on social media.
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed that Ronaldo had left the camp but said preparations for the match against Denmark and the subsequent fixture against Norway would continue with the remaining players.
The development followed Ronaldo’s omission from Portugal’s 2–1 victory over Norway on Sunday, when he remained on the bench for the entire match. Jesus had earlier explained that he intended to use the forward as a substitute but ultimately did not bring him onto the pitch.
Ronaldo subsequently trained separately from the squad, working in the gym rather than participating in the team’s sessions. His departure came after Jesus acknowledged that the player was unhappy with him, although the coach had insisted that the disagreement would not prevent the team from continuing its preparations.
The incident has raised questions about Ronaldo’s immediate future with the national side, although the forward did not announce his retirement from international football.
Ronaldo remains one of Portugal’s most prominent footballers and the country’s record international goalscorer. His departure is therefore a significant development for a national team preparing for its forthcoming international fixtures.
Portugal will now have to proceed without its captain for the Denmark match, while attention will turn to any further explanation Ronaldo provides about his decision.
