Cristiano Ronaldo has abruptly left Portugal’s national team camp one day before the UEFA Nations League meeting with Denmark, after a turbulent few days involving his role under new head coach Jorge Jesus. The 41-year-old confirmed his departure in a statement on Wednesday, saying he would reveal the reasons “in due time” while wishing Portugal and his team-mates good luck. Whether the decision marks a farewell to international football remains to be seen.
Ronaldo confirms he has left Portugal camp
Ronaldo confirmed his departure from the Portugal camp on Wednesday, September 30, in a statement posted on his official social media accounts. The announcement came as Jesus held a press conference ahead of Portugal’s match against Denmark in Copenhagen. The Portugal captain said his decision followed the coach’s comments and a conversation with Proença, who had changed his schedule to travel to Copenhagen as tensions over Ronaldo’s role in the team grew.“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,” Ronaldo wrote.He then indicated that he would explain what had happened at a later stage.“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.”Ronaldo finished by wishing Portugal and his team-mates well.“Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my team-mates, without exception.”The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed that Ronaldo had left the camp, while saying the remaining squad would continue preparing for the Denmark match and the subsequent Nations League fixture against Norway.Ronaldo was seen leaving Parken Stadium in a Portuguese Football Federation vehicle as his team-mates arrived for training, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola. His private jet was also reported to have been preparing to take him away from Denmark. Reuters later reported that the aircraft had left Madrid for Copenhagen and was scheduled to return to the Spanish capital.Ronaldo remians Portugal’s most-capped player and leading scorer, with 234 appearances and 146 goals for his country.
Jorge Jesus had told Ronaldo he would not start against Denmark
The dispute developed after Ronaldo was left on the bench for Portugal’s 2–1 Nations League victory over Norway.Jesus selected João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos in attack, with Ramos scoring Portugal’s winning goal after Erling Haaland had equalised. Ronaldo warmed up during the second half but was not introduced.Jesus had previously said he wanted to manage Ronaldo’s workload after the forward played almost 70 minutes against Wales in Portugal’s opening Nations League match.Ronaldo then went directly to the dressing room after the Norway victory rather than joining his teammates in celebrating with the travelling supporters.The situation continued into Portugal’s preparations for Denmark.
Portugal’s head coach Jorge Jesus speaks during a news conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, ahead of their Nations League soccer match against Denmark. (Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
Jesus said on Wednesday that Ronaldo would train with the team, while also confirming that he would not start against Denmark.“Yesterday, he did not refuse to train,” Jesus said.“Francisco Conceicao did not train because he was injured, and Joao Felix because we tried to ease his fatigue, while Cristiano did work in the gym. Today he will train. It is the fourth day, so he will train.”Jesus then explained the decision he had made over Ronaldo’s role.“I can promise what I want. I am the coach. I told the player that he would not start the match, and that he would be on the substitutes’ bench.”“If I need him for 30 minutes then he will play, and if I do not need him then he will not play.”Jesus also made clear that nobody would influence his selection.“No player will change my mind, neither him nor anyone else in football, not even any president, that will never happen.”Ronaldo left the camp after the press conference.
Pedro Proença travelled to address the situation
The Portuguese Football Federation president changed his schedule and travelled to Copenhagen as the situation around Ronaldo and Jesus escalated.Proença held talks with the parties involved on Wednesday morning after the disagreement that followed Ronaldo’s omission against Norway.Jesus had maintained that there was no major problem between himself and Ronaldo and said his conversations with the captain had been normal.Ronaldo, however, had missed three consecutive training sessions according to A Bola, despite Jesus saying shortly before his departure that he expected the forward to train.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo arrives for training in Copenhagen, Denmark, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, ahead of their Nations League soccer match against Denmark. (Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
The Portuguese newspaper reported that Ronaldo left the Parken Stadium in a Portuguese Football Federation vehicle as his teammates arrived for training.His departure came only minutes after Jesus’ press conference.Earlier reports had said Ronaldo was unhappy with the decision to leave him out against Norway and with the uncertainty surrounding his starting place against Denmark.
Ronaldo’s retirement remains unconfirmed
Portugal now face Denmark on Thursday without Ronaldo in the squad, with the team leading Nations League Group A4 after two victories.Portugal have six points, three clear of both Denmark and Norway.Ronaldo’s departure does not amount to an official retirement announcement. He has not said that he is ending his international career, while the Portuguese Football Federation has not announced his retirement.His final words before leaving camp, however, have prompted immediate questions because he said he would reveal the reasons for his decision later and then wished Portugal and all his teammates good luck.Ronaldo has spent more than two decades representing Portugal, becoming the country’s record appearance holder and scorer while winning the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 Nations League. Whether Wednesday’s decision represents another dispute that can eventually be resolved or the beginning of the end of his international career remains unanswered.For now, Ronaldo has said only that he will tell the Portuguese people the truth “in due time”.
