Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s training camp ahead of the country’s UEFA Nations League clash with Denmark, hours after head coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that the veteran forward would not start the match.
Key Highlights
- Ronaldo, 41, left the national team camp in Copenhagen after being told he would not start against Denmark
- The Al-Nassr star announced the decision on Instagram, promising to explain the reasons “in time”
- Coach Jorge Jesus denied any serious confrontation but confirmed Ronaldo was unhappy about being benched
- Ronaldo had started against Wales but was unused in the 2-1 win over Norway
- Portuguese Football Federation confirmed his departure; squad of 24 continues preparations
Ronaldo announced his departure in an Instagram post on Wednesday, saying he had discussed the decision with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença and would reveal the reasons behind his exit “in time.”
“After the press conference of the national team and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team training camp,” Ronaldo wrote.
“In time, I will tell all the Portuguese the truth about the reasons that motivated me to leave.”
The development came after Jesus said during a pre-match press conference that Ronaldo would not start Thursday’s meeting with Denmark.
Jesus, who previously coached Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, denied that there had been a serious confrontation between them, although he acknowledged that the forward was unhappy after being left on the bench.
“There was no incident whatsoever,” Jesus said.
He explained that Ronaldo had been informed before Portugal’s previous match that he would not start but could be brought on later.
“Afterwards, as coach, I decided not to bring him on. It’s nothing to make a fuss about,” Jesus added.
Ronaldo had started Portugal’s opening Nations League fixture against Wales but was left out of the starting line-up for the subsequent 2-1 victory over Norway in Oslo. He did not come on during the match.
Jesus also rejected reports that Ronaldo had refused to train, saying the forward had instead been given an individual programme focused on mobility and strengthening.
However, Ronaldo subsequently left the team’s preparations in Copenhagen before Portugal’s scheduled match against Denmark at Parken Stadium on Thursday.
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The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed Ronaldo’s departure and said preparations for the upcoming fixtures would continue with the remaining 24 players.
“The entire delegation remains fully focused on the national team’s next fixtures and on achieving the established objectives,” the federation said.
Portugal’s Nations League campaign began under Jesus with a 1-0 victory over Wales before the team defeated Norway 2-1 in Oslo. The match against Denmark is scheduled for October 1, followed by another meeting with Norway on October 4.
Jesus had indicated that Gonçalo Ramos would be preferred to Ronaldo against Denmark, saying he would use Ronaldo if he felt the team needed him.
“If I need [Ronaldo], he’ll come on. If I don’t need him, he won’t,” Jesus said.
Ronaldo’s departure has raised questions about his immediate future with the Portuguese national team, although neither the player nor the federation has announced that he is retiring from international football.
The Al-Nassr forward remains Portugal’s most-capped player and leading goalscorer and had continued with the national team after previously discussing the possibility of ending his international career following the 2026 World Cup.
For now, Ronaldo’s own explanation for his decision remains pending, with the forward saying he intends to disclose the reasons for leaving the camp at a later time. For more sports updates, follow us on X.
More details on the Nations League can be found on the official UEFA Nations League website.
