"The end looms on the horizon": Updates on Ronaldo's withdrawal from the Portugal national team camp

Ronaldo wrote: "After the national team's coach's press conference, and after a conversation with the president of the federation, I decided to leave the national team's training camp."

He added: "In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons for my departure from the national team, to which I was fully committed."

The Al Nassr forward continued: "Now is the right time to wish Portugal and all my teammates, without exception, all the best."

The Portuguese Federation confirmed Ronaldo's departure from the camp but indicated that preparations for the match against Denmark and the fixture on Sunday at home against Norway would continue as planned with the 24 players.

The federation added: "The entire team remains fully focused on the upcoming matches for the national team and on achieving the desired goals."

The End is Near

The incident raised questions about whether one of the longest international careers in football history is nearing its end, and whether Jesus is facing an early authority crisis after just two matches in charge.

Jesus took over from Roberto Martinez following Portugal's disappointing performance in the 2026 World Cup.

The Portugal team later arrived at their hotel without Ronaldo or Jesus, while their whereabouts remained unknown.

Several Portuguese media outlets reported that Ronaldo left the "Parken" stadium in Copenhagen just minutes after Jesus finished speaking to reporters.

The Portuguese newspaper "A Bola" published a video showing Ronaldo leaving the stadium in a vehicle belonging to the Portuguese Federation shortly after Jesus announced to reporters that the striker would train with the team.

Portugal's training began with a slight delay, and without Ronaldo.

Jesus denied that Ronaldo had refused to train and urged reporters not to create a crisis.

The coach said before the training session: "He did not refuse. He will train today. This is the fourth day (of the camp), so he will train. He did not refuse to come down to train. That is impossible. Do you believe that? Not Cristiano."

Jesus confirmed that no incident occurred, despite acknowledging that he spoke with Ronaldo, saying: "They forced me to talk to Cristiano about a non-existent issue. There was no need to talk."

The coach continued: "He told me: I am here at your disposal to make the decision. If you want me to play, I will play, and if you want me in the stands, I will go there."

Ronaldo's Exclusion

Ronaldo did not participate in Portugal's 2-1 away victory over Norway on Sunday, after Jesus informed him that he would play from the bench, before ultimately deciding not to include him.

He then trained in the gym instead of joining the rest of the team on the pitch on Monday and Tuesday, despite not being injured.

Jesus said: "Ronaldo was angry with me, but for me, that is in the past."

Ronaldo is Portugal's all-time top scorer with 146 goals and has the most appearances for the national team with 234 matches.

The "Don" stated in a press conference earlier last week that the media has been trying to "kill" him for years, indicating that he might leave "today" if the coach does not want him in the squad.

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Ronaldo, 41, left the camp a day before Portugal's match against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.

Ronaldo stated on Instagram that he made this decision after Jesus' press conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Brinca, adding that he would reveal the reasons "in due time."

Ronaldo wrote: "After the national team's coach's press conference, and after a conversation with the president of the federation, I decided to leave the national team's training camp."

He added: "In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons for my departure from the national team, to which I was fully committed."

The Al Nassr forward continued: "Now is the right time to wish Portugal and all my teammates, without exception, all the best."

The Portuguese Federation confirmed Ronaldo's departure from the camp but indicated that preparations for the match against Denmark and the fixture on Sunday at home against Norway would continue as planned with the 24 players.

The federation added: "The entire team remains fully focused on the upcoming matches for the national team and on achieving the desired goals."

The End is Near

The incident raised questions about whether one of the longest international careers in football history is nearing its end, and whether Jesus is facing an early authority crisis after just two matches in charge.

Jesus took over from Roberto Martinez following Portugal's disappointing performance in the 2026 World Cup.

The Portugal team later arrived at their hotel without Ronaldo or Jesus, while their whereabouts remained unknown.

Several Portuguese media outlets reported that Ronaldo left the "Parken" stadium in Copenhagen just minutes after Jesus finished speaking to reporters.

The Portuguese newspaper "A Bola" published a video showing Ronaldo leaving the stadium in a vehicle belonging to the Portuguese Federation shortly after Jesus announced to reporters that the striker would train with the team.

Portugal's training began with a slight delay, and without Ronaldo.

Jesus denied that Ronaldo had refused to train and urged reporters not to create a crisis.

The coach said before the training session: "He did not refuse. He will train today. This is the fourth day (of the camp), so he will train. He did not refuse to come down to train. That is impossible. Do you believe that? Not Cristiano."

Jesus confirmed that no incident occurred, despite acknowledging that he spoke with Ronaldo, saying: "They forced me to talk to Cristiano about a non-existent issue. There was no need to talk."

The coach continued: "He told me: I am here at your disposal to make the decision. If you want me to play, I will play, and if you want me in the stands, I will go there."

Ronaldo's Exclusion

Ronaldo did not participate in Portugal's 2-1 away victory over Norway on Sunday, after Jesus informed him that he would play from the bench, before ultimately deciding not to include him.

He then trained in the gym instead of joining the rest of the team on the pitch on Monday and Tuesday, despite not being injured.

Jesus said: "Ronaldo was angry with me, but for me, that is in the past."

Ronaldo is Portugal's all-time top scorer with 146 goals and has the most appearances for the national team with 234 matches.

The "Don" stated in a press conference earlier last week that the media has been trying to "kill" him for years, indicating that he might leave "today" if the coach does not want him in the squad.