Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s national-team camp after learning he would not start for a second consecutive Nations League match, an extraordinary development that has raised fresh questions about the 41-year-old captain’s international future.
Ronaldo announced his departure on Wednesday after Portugal coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner would not start against Denmark in Copenhagen. The forward had already spent the entirety of Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway on the bench.
Shortly after Jesus’s press conference, Ronaldo said he had spoken with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença before deciding to leave the camp.
The forward did not publicly explain the full circumstances behind his decision. Instead, he indicated that he would provide his version of events later, saying the Portuguese public would eventually learn his reasons for leaving the national team. He nevertheless wished Portugal and his teammates well.
The episode follows an unusual spell on the sidelines for Portugal’s record goalscorer.
Ronaldo had captained the team during its 1-0 victory over Wales last week but was substituted in the second half. He then remained unused against Norway, marking the first time since November 2024 that he had failed to feature for Portugal despite being available and neither injured nor suspended.
Jesus has denied that there is a personal dispute between himself and Ronaldo. The coach acknowledged that the striker was disappointed about remaining on the bench but maintained that team-selection decisions ultimately belonged to him.
Jesus had planned to start AC Milan forward Gonçalo Ramos against Denmark after Ramos scored the winner against Norway. He said Ronaldo could potentially enter as a substitute if required. Ronaldo instead left the camp before the match.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Jesus and federation president Proença attempted to persuade Ronaldo to remain with the squad at Copenhagen airport, but the forward eventually departed on his private jet. Geo’s report cites the claim but does not independently confirm it.
Portugal subsequently defeated Denmark 4-2 without Ronaldo, delivering a strong attacking performance. After the victory, Jesus again faced questions about his captain and stressed that although certain footballers possess exceptional status, team rules apply equally to everyone.
The controversy has also drawn a reaction from Ronaldo’s family. His sister Elma Aveiro strongly criticised the treatment of her brother on social media, arguing that Portuguese supporters had failed to appreciate what Ronaldo had contributed to the national team.
The timing makes the episode particularly significant.
Ronaldo recently said this would “probably” be his final year as a professional footballer. He remains Portugal’s most-capped player and record goalscorer, with 146 goals in 234 international appearances.
His international career stretches back to 2003 and includes Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph, the 2006 World Cup semi-final and more than two decades as the country’s most recognisable footballer.
For now, Ronaldo has stopped short of announcing his international retirement. His promise to explain the reasons behind his departure, however, ensures that questions over his relationship with Portugal’s new coaching setup and his future with the national team are unlikely to disappear.
