Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen after a dispute with manager Jorge Jesus, and the departure has started talk that he could retire from international football. The 41-year-old announced his decision in an Instagram statement on Wednesday, after Jesus’s press conference. Ronaldo had missed his third straight training session, and he will not play in Thursday’s Nations League game against Denmark. He has not said he is retiring.
What Ronaldo Said
Ronaldo said the press conference and a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation led him to go. “After the national team coach’s press conference, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team training camp,” he wrote.
He added that he would explain himself later. “In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself,” he said. He ended with: “Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates.”
Portugal replied with their own statement. “Cristiano Ronaldo has left the national team camp,” it read. “Our preparations for the next games continue with our 24 players with maximum focus on the results.”
Ronaldo was seen leaving the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen while his team-mates trained. His private jet flew from Madrid to the Danish city, and he boarded it a short time after it landed.
The Benching That Started It
The row traces back to Sunday’s Nations League game against Norway, which Portugal won 2-1. Ronaldo stayed on the bench for the full match. Jesus had planned to bring him on for a 30-minute cameo, then changed his mind.
At full-time, Ronaldo went straight down the tunnel. He did not return to thank the travelling fans with his team-mates. It was the first time in 18 years that he played no part in a Portugal match, leaving aside absences for injury or suspension.
On Wednesday morning he held talks with Jesus and with the head of the Portuguese federation. Reports in Portugal described the meeting with Jesus as “calm and cordial.” His decision to leave the squad suggests it was not.
What Jesus Said
Jesus addressed the issue in a tense press conference. He said Ronaldo was “angry” with him but insisted there was no problem between them. “There was no incident whatsoever,” he said.
He compared it to his own playing days. “Any player, and I was a player myself, when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don’t get on, no-one is happy about that,” Jesus said. “Afterwards, as coach, I decided not to bring him on. It’s nothing to make a fuss about.”
He also appeared to confirm that Ronaldo would not start against Denmark, suggesting Goncalo Ramos would keep his place. “If I need [Ronaldo], he’ll come on,” Jesus said. “If I don’t need him, he won’t.”
Ramos, 25, scored the winner against Norway on Sunday.
A Relationship With a History
Jesus, 72, coached Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, and the two worked together successfully for a year. The pairing in the national team is new. It began after Roberto Martinez stepped down following Portugal’s 1-0 World Cup defeat by Spain.
When Jesus was announced as Martinez’s successor, he was asked about Ronaldo. “As long as he’s playing and is in a condition to be selected, I will pick him, within certain limits and under the conditions that I consider best for the national team,” Jesus said.
Those limits are now at the center of the dispute. Ronaldo is 41 and will turn 42 in February. He has scored three goals in five games for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League this season. His playing time for Portugal is a topic Jesus will have to manage for as long as Ronaldo stays in the squad.
Ronaldo’s Own Words on His Future
Only a week earlier, Ronaldo had said he wanted to keep playing for his country. He chose not to retire from international duty after the World Cup.
“I had a conversation with our president, with our coach,” he said then, speaking about his future. “I still believe that I’m able to help the national team to reach what they want, and will finish when I feel like I’m not doing anything here.”
He also described what he wanted to give. “I think I can give to the national team my support, not only through the goals, but also outside of football,” he said. “This is a new young generation. But for me the basic point is to be able on the pitch to score the goals and to help the team win games.”
Those comments make the contrast sharper. A week ago he said he would leave when he felt he was not contributing. On Wednesday he left the camp after being left out of the matchday plans.
What Happens Next
Portugal play Denmark on Thursday with 24 players and without Ronaldo. The federation says its focus is on results.
Ronaldo has promised to tell Portugal “the truth” about why he left, but he has not said when. Until he does, the reasons stay unclear. Jesus says there was no incident, and Ronaldo’s statement points to the press conference as the trigger.
Two questions remain open. One is whether Ronaldo will return to the squad for later games. The other is whether he will keep his commitment to international football or follow the retirement talk. Ronaldo has said nothing on either point so far.
