Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen on the eve of the team’s UEFA Nations League match against Denmark, after head coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that the captain would not start the game.
Ronaldo announced his decision on Wednesday following Jesus’ press conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proença. He said he would explain his reasons for leaving at a later date, while the FPF confirmed his departure without giving a reason.
The development has created uncertainty around Ronaldo’s immediate future with Portugal, although there has been no announcement that he has retired from international football.
What happened between Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus?
The situation developed after Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway on Sunday.
Ronaldo started Portugal’s opening match of the current Nations League campaign, a 1-0 win over Wales, but was substituted in the 67th minute.
Four days later, he was an unused substitute as Portugal defeated Norway in Oslo. Jesus had indicated that Ronaldo could feature from the bench, but ultimately did not bring him on. It was the first time in more than 18 years that Ronaldo had been available for a competitive international and failed to play.
Ronaldo subsequently worked in the gym rather than with the main group on the following days. Jesus said Ronaldo had not refused to train and rejected suggestions that there had been a serious incident between them.
Ahead of Thursday’s match against Denmark, Jesus again said Ronaldo would not start.
“If I need him, he’ll come on. If I don’t need him, he won’t,” Jesus said, while denying that there was a rift between them. At the same time, reports indicated that Ronaldo was disappointed by his lack of involvement against Norway.
Ronaldo then announced that he had decided to leave the camp.
“Following the national team coach’s press conference, and after having a conversation with the Portuguese Football Federation president, I decided to leave the national team’s training camp,” Ronaldo said.
He added that he would explain the reasons for his decision “in due course” and wished Portugal and his teammates good luck.
The FPF confirmed Ronaldo had left the camp and said preparations for the matches against Denmark and Norway would continue with the remaining 24 players. The federation did not provide further details about the circumstances behind his departure.
What is known about the reported rift?
Reports of tension between Ronaldo and Jesus have emerged around the forward’s reduced involvement, but the existence and extent of a rift remain disputed.
Jesus has denied that there was a rift and rejected suggestions of a serious disagreement. However, the situation was not presented as completely tension-free, with Jesus acknowledging Ronaldo’s disappointment over being left on the bench against Norway.
Ronaldo has not yet publicly explained what specifically prompted his decision. His statement only established that he made the decision after Jesus’ press conference and his conversation with Proença.
That distinction is important. Ronaldo’s departure and the FPF’s confirmation are established facts, while the precise reason behind the decision has not yet been publicly established.
There is also an existing working relationship between Ronaldo and Jesus. The pair worked together at Al-Nassr before Jesus became Portugal head coach in July 2026.
Ronaldo’s absence is significant for Portugal
Ronaldo’s departure means Portugal will face Denmark without their captain and record international goalscorer.
He has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal, both men’s international records according to UEFA.
His absence also comes during a strong start to Portugal’s Nations League campaign. Jesus’ side opened with a 1-0 win over Wales before beating Norway 2-1 away from home.
The Denmark match is Portugal’s third game of the six-match League A4 campaign. Portugal are then scheduled to host Norway on October 4 before completing the league phase with matches against Denmark and Wales in November.
For now, there is no basis to describe Ronaldo’s departure as an international retirement. He has not announced that he is ending his Portugal career. His statement instead said that he had “always been dedicated” to the national team and that he would explain his reasons for leaving at a later stage.
That explanation, along with any further comments from Ronaldo, the FPF or Jesus, will provide more clarity on the circumstances surrounding his departure.
