Row over starting spot sees Cristiano Ronaldo quit the national team
The 41‑year‑old Cristiano Ronaldo left the Portuguese national team's training camp in Denmark by private jet on Wednesday, after a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus over his place in the starting lineup escalated. The superstar, who had previously been on the bench in the Nations League match against Norway, said that he had left the team quarters.
Instagram statement and reasons
Ronaldo posted on Instagram: “After the national coach's press conference and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese football association, I have decided to leave the national team's training camp.” He added that he wants to tell all Portuguese the truth about the reasons for his departure in due course and now wishes Portugal and his teammates good luck. The star emphasized that his time with the national team could be coming to an end.
In the Nations League match against Norway, which Portugal won 2‑1, the Al‑Nassr striker remained on the bench for 90 minutes. Media reported that he was very upset after the game because he was not substituted in, and he skipped the usual greeting to the fans.
On Thursday evening at 20:45, Ronaldo was absent from a training session ahead of the match against Denmark. Instead, he was seen on the training ground with a phone and coffee, spoke briefly with Jesus and then returned to the hotel. The association explained that the training centre's gym does not have the equipment Ronaldo needs for his individual training.
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Coach reaction and further consequences
Coach Jorge Jesus emphasized at the press conference that there are no differences between him and the team's biggest star. He said: “It seems as if there was a problem between us, but there was no problem.” And: “I am the one who makes the decisions, and everyone knows that.”
Jesus also pointed out that Ronaldo has not refused to train, but is signalling his cooperation: “If you want me to play, I will play. If you want me to sit on the bench, I will do that. If you want me on the stand, I will do that.” At the same time, he announced that Gonçalo Ramos will be deployed again up front.
After the statements, Spanish and Portuguese media reports followed the superstar, who flew in his private jet to Madrid. He landed at Madrid‑Barajas airport at 2:40, after an almost three‑hour flight from Copenhagen, during which several fans stormed the cordoned‑off area.
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Ronaldo left it open whether he will play for the Seleção again in the future, and promised to explain the exact reasons for his departure in due course. Thus, the future of the three‑time Ballon d’Or winner and five‑time World Footballer remains uncertain.