A final farewell? Ronaldo abruptly leaves Portugal camp, promises truth ‘in due time’ and wishes team-mates ‘good luck’

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo with his wedding ring claps his hands during warm-ups before the Nations League soccer match between Portugal and Wales in Lisbon, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Armando Franca) Cristiano Ronaldo has abruptly left Portugal’s national team camp one day ahead of their UEFA Nations League meeting with Denmark after a turbulent few days in his role under new head coach Jorge Jesus. The 41-year-old confirmed his departure in a statement on Wednesday, saying he would reveal the reasons “in due course” while wishing Portugal and his team-mates the best of luck. Whether this decision means a farewell to international football remains to be seen.

Ronaldo has confirmed that he has left the Portuguese camp

Ronaldo confirmed his departure from the Portuguese camp on Wednesday 30 September in a statement posted on his official social media accounts. The announcement came as Jesus held a press conference ahead of Portugal’s match against Denmark in Copenhagen. The Portugal captain said his decision followed comments from the coach and a conversation with Proença, who changed his travel plans for Copenhagen as tensions grew over Ronaldo’s role in the team.“After the press conference of the coach of the national team and after the conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the training camp of the national team,” wrote Ronaldo.He then indicated that he would explain what happened later.“In due time, I will tell all the Portuguese the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national team, which I have always devoted myself to.”Ronaldo ended by wishing Portugal and his teammates good luck.“Now it’s time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates without exception.”The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed that Ronaldo had left the camp and said the remaining squad would continue to prepare for the Denmark game and the subsequent Nations League game against Norway.Ronaldo was seen leaving the Parken Stadium in a Portuguese Football Federation vehicle as his teammates arrived for training, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola. His private plane was also reportedly preparing to take him out of Denmark. Reuters later reported that the plane had departed from Madrid to Copenhagen and was due to return to the Spanish capital.With 234 appearances and 146 goals for his country, Ronaldo is Portugal’s most capped player and top scorer.

Jorge Jesus told Ronaldo that he will not start against Denmark

The dispute developed after Ronaldo was left on the bench for Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League win over Norway.Jesus picked out João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos in attack, with Ramos scoring Portugal’s winner after Erling Haaland equalised. Ronaldo warmed up during the second half but was not introduced.Jesus has previously said he wants to manage Ronaldo’s workload after the striker played nearly 70 minutes against Wales in Portugal’s Nations League opener.Ronaldo then went straight to the dressing room after Norway’s win instead of joining his teammates to celebrate with the traveling supporters.The situation continued in Portugal’s preparations for Denmark.

Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus speaks during a press conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, ahead of their Nations League match against Denmark. (Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

Jesus said on Wednesday that Ronaldo would train with the team while also confirming that he would not start against Denmark.“He didn’t refuse to train yesterday,” Jesus said.“Francisco Conceicao didn’t train because he was injured and Joao Felix because we tried to reduce his fatigue while Cristiano worked in the gym. He will train today. It’s the fourth day so he will train.”Jesus then explained the decision he made regarding Ronaldo’s role.“I can promise what I want. I am the coach. I told the player that he will not start the match and that he will be on the substitutes’ bench.”“If I need him for 30 minutes, he’ll play, and if I don’t need him, he won’t play.”Jesus also made it clear that no one would influence his choice.“No player is going to change my mind, not him, not anyone else in football, not even a president, that’s never going to happen.”Ronaldo left the camp after the press conference.

Pedro Proença traveled to address the situation

The president of the Portuguese Football Federation changed his schedule and traveled to Copenhagen as the situation surrounding Ronaldo and Jesus escalated.Proença held talks with the parties involved on Wednesday morning following the disagreement that followed Ronaldo’s omission against Norway.Jesus insisted there was no major problem between him and Ronaldo and said his conversations with the captain were normal.However, according to him, Ronaldo has missed three consecutive training sessions To the ballalthough Jesus said shortly before his departure that he expected the striker to train.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo arrives for a training session in Copenhagen, Denmark, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, ahead of the Nations League soccer match against Denmark. (Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

The Portuguese newspaper reported that Ronaldo left the Parken stadium in a Portuguese Football Federation vehicle as his teammates arrived for training.His departure came just minutes after Jesus’ press conference.Earlier reports said Ronaldo was unhappy with the decision to leave him out against Norway and the uncertainty surrounding his starting place against Denmark.

Ronaldo’s retirement remains unconfirmed

Portugal will now face Denmark without Ronaldo on Thursday, with the team leading Nations League Group A4 after two wins.Portugal have six points, three ahead of Denmark and Norway.Ronaldo’s departure does not constitute an official retirement announcement. He did not say he was ending his international career, while the Portuguese Football Federation did not announce his retirement.However, his final words before leaving the camp raised immediate questions as he said he would reveal the reasons for his decision later and then wished Portugal and all his teammates the best of luck.Ronaldo has spent more than two decades representing Portugal, becoming the country’s record goalscorer while winning the 2016 European Championship and 2019 Nations League. Whether Wednesday’s decision represents another dispute that will eventually be resolved or the beginning of the end for his international career remains unanswered.Ronaldo has only said so far that he will tell the Portuguese people the truth “at the right time”.