Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s national team camp. The decision came after a tense meeting on Wednesday. Ronaldo, who is 41, did not play in Portugal’s win over Norway on Sunday. He also did not train with the squad on Monday or Tuesday. The Portuguese Football Federation has not said he is injured.
A meeting was arranged for Wednesday. Ronaldo, head coach Jorge Jesus, and FPF president Pedro Proenca were all present. The goal was to clear the air. After that meeting, Ronaldo posted a statement on Instagram. He said he had decided to leave the camp. He also said he would eventually tell the Portuguese people the truth about why he left.
“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 national team, to which I always devoted myself. Now is the time to wish Portugal and all my teammates good luck, without exception.”
Sources say Ronaldo’s private jet flew to Copenhagen on Wednesday. The Portugal squad is based there for Thursday’s Nations League match against Denmark. The jet was sent to collect Ronaldo.
The Norway match was only the third time Ronaldo has been an unused substitute for Portugal. The other two times were a Euro 2008 group game and a friendly against Croatia before Euro 2024. After the Norway game, coach Jorge Jesus said it “wasn’t the right moment” for Ronaldo to come on. Sources say Ronaldo was upset that he did not play at all.
Jesus spoke at a press conference on Wednesday before the Denmark match. He said he and Ronaldo had an agreement. Jesus said he told Ronaldo he would not play against Norway or Denmark. Jesus explained that he worked with Ronaldo at Al Nassr. He knows Ronaldo’s physical limits. He said when games come every three days, Ronaldo rarely plays in both.
“It’s true we had an agreement,” Jesus said. “I told Cris that he would not play against Norway or Denmark. I have worked with him for a year. I am completely aware of his physical capabilities and I know, because I did this in Saudi Arabia already, that when there are games every three days, Cris rarely played (in both games).”
Jesus also said the plan for Bruno Fernandes was the same. He said a coach must decide what is best for the team. He said Ronaldo did not refuse to train. He worked in the gym instead. Jesus said he would train on Wednesday.
This is not the first time Ronaldo has made a public stand when unhappy. In February, he missed two Saudi Pro League games for Al Nassr. That came after a disagreement over how the club was being run.
Ronaldo holds the record for most international appearances by a men’s player. He has 234 caps. He also has the most international goals with 146. In August, he suggested he would retire from professional football at the end of this season. His long-time rival Lionel Messi will play his final international match for Argentina against Benin during this break.
Portugal play Denmark on Thursday. They then face Norway in Porto on Sunday.
Ruben Dias Backs Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal Tensions Ease
Ruben Dias has defended Cristiano Ronaldo. The Manchester City defender feels the reaction to Ronaldo’s recent behaviour has been too strong. He says the Portugal squad is not as worried as the public.
The issue began after Portugal beat Norway 2-1 on Sunday. Ronaldo, who is 41, did not get on the pitch. Coach Jorge Jesus had said Ronaldo would play about 30 minutes. Ronaldo then missed two training sessions. Jesus described the decision as tactical.
Ronaldo and Jesus met on Tuesday night. Federation president Pedro Proenca was also there. The meeting was meant to clear the air.
Dias said these kinds of moments happen in top-level sport. He argued that no player stays calm all the time. He also said he, Bernardo Silva, and Bruno Fernandes do not see the situation as a big problem. In his view, Ronaldo is still an important part of the group.
Some people claimed Ronaldo ignored fans. Dias disagreed. He pointed to the emotion of the moment. Ronaldo had played 67 minutes in a 1-0 win over Wales. He was then left on the bench against Norway. After that match, he went down the tunnel quickly. Dias said that was a brief reaction. He said it does not reflect Ronaldo’s 20 years of commitment to Portugal.
Dias also said things have mostly settled down. Portugal play Denmark on Thursday in the Nations League.
FAQs
Q. Why did Cristiano Ronaldo leave Portugal’s training camp?
A. Ronaldo left after a tense meeting with the team management.
Q. Who met Ronaldo during the situation?
A. Ronaldo met Jorge Jesus and Pedro Proenca.
Q. How many international goals has Ronaldo scored?
A. Ronaldo has scored 146 international goals.
Q. How many international caps does Ronaldo have?
A. Ronaldo has 234 international caps.
Q. Who defended Ronaldo amid the situation?
A. Ruben Dias defended Ronaldo and said the reaction was too strong.
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