Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal’s Nations League camp in Copenhagen on 30 September 2026 after coach Jorge Jesus said Gonçalo Ramos would again start ahead of him against Denmark.
The walkout puts a 23-year international career in doubt. Ronaldo has 146 goals in 234 matches for Portugal, both national records. It also comes in Jesus’s first international window in charge. Jesus previously coached Ronaldo at the Saudi club Al Nassr.
Ronaldo, 41, said on Instagram that he decided to leave after the coach’s press conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proença. He promised to tell the Portuguese people “the truth” about his reasons at a later date, and wished the squad well.
The FPF later confirmed his departure. Ronaldo will miss Thursday’s match against Denmark and Portugal’s home game against Norway on 4 October. Spanish newspaper Marca reported that he flew to Madrid on a private jet.
How the dispute built
Ronaldo started Portugal’s opening Nations League game, a 1-0 win over Wales in Lisbon on 24 September, and was substituted in the second half.
Three days later he sat on the bench for the full 90 minutes as Portugal beat Norway 2-1 in Oslo. Ramos scored the winner after an error by Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland. Unconfirmed reports said Ronaldo had expected to play the last half hour, warmed up, and went straight to the dressing room at full time instead of joining the celebrations.
At his press conference on Wednesday, Jesus dismissed talk of a rift between them. Media reports had claimed the forward refused to train. Jesus said:
- He had told Ronaldo before the Norway game that he would not start but could come on later.
- Ramos would lead the attack again in Copenhagen.
- He would bring Ronaldo on only if the team needed him.
Family anger
Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, defended him in an Instagram post on Wednesday evening. She wrote that her brother deserved more respect, the national team more structure and Portuguese journalism more competence. She also said the Portuguese people did not deserve to have the best at anything.
A record-breaker’s uncertain future
Ronaldo chose to keep playing for Portugal after this summer’s World Cup, where he scored three goals and became the first player to score at six World Cup finals tournaments. His overall performance at the tournament still drew criticism at home.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has said many times that he wants to reach 1,000 career goals. He is on 979, and if his Portugal career is over, the last 21 will have to come for Al Nassr.
Portugal, the Nations League holders, face Denmark at Parken Stadium at 18:45 GMT on Thursday without their captain.
