Cristiano Ronaldo has left the Portugal national team training camp after a public dispute with coach Jorge Jesus over his unused substitute appearance against Norway, raising fresh doubts over the future of the 41-year-old captain’s international career.
In a statement released after Jesus’s post-match press conference and a subsequent meeting with Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proença, Ronaldo said he had decided to depart the squad.
“After the National Coach’s press conference, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team’s training camp,” Ronaldo said. “In due time, I will tell the truth to all Portuguese people about the reasons that motivated my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself. Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception.”
The controversy began after Portugal’s 1-0 win over Wales, in which Ronaldo started and played roughly 70 minutes under Jesus in the coach’s first competitive match in charge. Three days later, Jesus opted not to start the forward against Norway, citing the short recovery time. “We want Ronaldo on the pitch,” Jesus said before the game, while insisting the veteran was not expected to feature from the outset in consecutive fixtures so close together.
Multiple reports said Ronaldo had been informed he would enter the match and had agreed with Jesus to play the final 30 minutes. The player warmed up in preparation. He ultimately remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes. Jesus later explained the decision was tactical: Gonçalo Ramos was performing well, had scored and had another goal ruled out, so there was no need to introduce a striker of Ronaldo’s profile. “He was in condition to play for as long as I wanted,” Jesus stressed, emphasising the choice was not related to fitness.
At the final whistle Ronaldo headed straight down the tunnel rather than joining teammates in acknowledging supporters. Jesus said he had not noticed the reaction during the match and added: “I have to talk to him.”
Portuguese media subsequently reported Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction stemmed less from being left out of the starting line-up than from the change to the agreed plan. In the following days the forward did not complete normal group training sessions and returned to the team hotel. The FPF said he required specific gym equipment unavailable at the stadium; Jesus publicly denied any refusal to train.
The episode prompted Proença to travel to Scandinavia, arriving in Copenhagen after midnight for a face-to-face discussion with both Ronaldo and Jesus. Initial reports suggested the matter had been resolved, with both parties focused on upcoming fixtures. Jesus later sought to downplay the affair, describing the supposed problem as “wasn’t even a problem” and asserting that while Ronaldo’s status merited respect and communication, “In the team, I’m the one who decides.”
Fresh reports, however, indicated the tension had resurfaced after Jesus’s public comments, with Ronaldo again absent from group training and ultimately departing the camp. Spanish newspaper Marca reported that Ronaldo felt a genuine issue remained unaddressed. The player had stated only days earlier that he would “take my bag and leave” if Portugal, Jesus or the FPF no longer truly counted on him.
Ronaldo had previously acknowledged considering international retirement after the World Cup but said both Proença and Jesus had assured him they still wanted him in the squad. The latest developments have left his long-term place in the national team uncertain.
