Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s national team camp in Copenhagen after a tense sequence of events involving head coach Jorge Jesus, saying he will reveal the full reasons for his decision at a later date.
The 41-year-old Portugal captain announced his departure on social media on Wednesday, shortly after Jesus held a press conference ahead of Thursday’s UEFA Nations League meeting with Denmark. Ronaldo said his decision followed a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença.
“Following the national team coach’s press conference, and after having a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I made the decision to leave the National Team camp,” Ronaldo wrote.
He added that he would explain his reasons “in due time” and said he wanted to wish Portugal and his teammates well.
The departure came after Jesus confirmed that Ronaldo would not start against Denmark, having also remained an unused substitute in Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway in Oslo on Sunday.
Jesus said the decision had been part of a plan agreed with Ronaldo and other players following a demanding run of matches. He also rejected reports that the two men had fallen out.
“I said to Cris that he would not play these two games,” Jesus said, according to Portuguese broadcaster RTP. “I told him he would be on the bench. If I needed him for 30 minutes, he would play; if not, he would not.”
Jesus also insisted that Ronaldo had not refused to train and said the forward had been following an individual fitness programme.
“Cris never trains on the first or second day after a game. Never. I agreed that with him. He never refused anything,” the coach said.
However, Ronaldo did not join the rest of the Portugal squad for Wednesday’s training session at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium. The Portuguese Football Federation later confirmed that he had left the camp, although it did not provide a reason for his departure.
“The preparation for the matches against Denmark and Norway will continue as planned with the remaining 24 players,” the federation said in a statement, adding that the delegation remained focused on its upcoming fixtures and its sporting objectives.
The incident follows Ronaldo’s unusual night in Oslo. He remained on the bench throughout Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway and, according to reports, did not join his teammates in acknowledging the travelling Portuguese supporters after the final whistle. He subsequently trained separately from the squad.
Jesus acknowledged that Ronaldo was unhappy after warming up without being introduced against Norway, but said there had been no confrontation.
“There was no incident whatsoever,” Jesus told reporters. He added that any player would be unhappy after warming up for 20 or 30 minutes without getting onto the pitch.
The coach also made clear that Ronaldo’s status would not determine his tactical decisions.
“Never will any player change my ideas. Neither him nor anyone in football. Not even any president,” Jesus said.
Ronaldo’s exit has now created uncertainty around his immediate future with Portugal, although he did not announce his international retirement. His message specifically indicated that he intends to explain his decision later, leaving open the question of whether he will return to the national team.
There were further developments on Thursday, with Reuters reporting that Jesus and Proença travelled to Copenhagen airport in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade Ronaldo to remain with the squad after he left the camp. Ronaldo subsequently travelled to Madrid on a private flight, according to a report by Spanish newspaper Marca cited by Reuters. The FPF has not publicly confirmed those details.
The episode also carries a potential disciplinary dimension. Reuters reported that the FPF disciplinary code allows for a suspension of between one and six months from the national team for players who leave camp without permission. However, the federation has not announced that Ronaldo is facing such a punishment.
Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record international goalscorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 appearances. He has captained the country to European Championship success in 2016 and Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
Portugal will face Denmark at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on Thursday in the third round of their Nations League Group A4 campaign. The match is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. local time, with Portugal entering the game after victories over Wales and Norway.
For now, Ronaldo’s own explanation remains pending. His statement made clear that he intends to give Portuguese supporters his version of events, but he has not yet provided further details about what prompted him to leave the national-team camp.
