Cristiano Ronaldo makes fans wait – behavior a mystery

Cristiano Ronaldo sat on the bench for the entire 90 minutes against Norway and then refused to go to the fans, even though his teammates, after the 2-1 victory of the Portugal national team on the second matchday of the Nations League, went to the roughly 500 attending guests to thank them for their support.

Ronaldo stays on the bench for 90 minutes

For the 41-year-old superstar, this was the first time in over 18 years, since the 0-2 defeat at the 2008 European Championship against Switzerland, that he did not play a minute in a competitive match for the Portugal national team. This showed that even a player of his class does not automatically receive playing time.

National coach Jorge Jesus explained after the match that a substitution for Ronaldo had actually been planned, but the narrow lead and the match circumstances would not have made sense for an additional striker.

"Why didn't he thank the fans? You'll have to ask him yourselves. I can't read his thoughts, but I will know when I speak with him," said Jesus after the final whistle.

Portugal triumph without Ronaldo after Nyland blunder in Nations League duel

Portugal wins thanks to goalkeeper error

Following the final whistle, Ronaldo immediately disappeared into the dressing room, while all teammates headed towards the roughly 500 accompanying guest fans to thank them for their support.

At the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Joao Felix put Portugal ahead in the 17th minute with a long-range strike, before Erling Haaland shortly after the break scored the equaliser for Norway; thereafter Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland made a mistake, playing the ball to Ramos, who from about 20 metres with a lob secured the 2-1 final result.

Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa had previously saved the free kick from Martin Ødegaard, while Norway goalkeeper Nyland later made a nasty error that allowed the Portuguese a quick response.

Portugal beats Norway without even a minute for Ronaldo

Jesus announced that he would seek a conversation with Ronaldo to clarify the puzzling behaviour.