Cristiano Ronaldo's unexpected departure from Portugal's training camp has raised questions about his future with the national team following a reported disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus. After Jesus announced that Ronaldo would not start in an upcoming Nations League match against Denmark, the 41-year-old forward walked out, stating he would reveal the reasons for his departure in due time.
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Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in international men's soccer, is currently contemplating his next steps after playing in his sixth World Cup this year. The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed his exit but provided little detail, stating only that the team would focus on their game against Denmark without him. As a result, Rafael Leão has been assigned Ronaldo's iconic No. 7 jersey for the match, as UEFA rules require that another player wear it if Ronaldo is no longer on the roster.
Media reaction in Portugal has been intense, with headlines speculating whether this marks the end of Ronaldo's international career. The JM newspaper questioned, "Is this the end?" while A Bola described it as a “sad farewell.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro reportedly spoke with Ronaldo, Jesus, and the president of the Portuguese football federation regarding the situation.
There are also concerns about possible disciplinary actions against Ronaldo. The federation’s regulations stipulate that a player abandoning training without justification could face a suspension of one to six months and a fine. While Ronaldo informed the federation of his departure, it remains uncertain whether this will be seen as justified under the regulations.
Currently, Ronaldo is in Madrid, where he has lived for several years. In a social media message, he expressed his decision to leave the camp after discussions with both the national team coach and federation president, wishing his teammates good luck.
Despite having hinted at retirement after the World Cup, Ronaldo has not ruled out future participation in international matches. He aims to reach 1,000 career goals, currently at 979, including a record 146 for Portugal.
Coach Jesus, who previously managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, addressed rumors of a rift. He clarified that while he made the decision not to start Ronaldo against Denmark, there was no conflict between them. According to Jesus, Ronaldo had communicated his willingness to accept the coach's decisions. He acknowledged that someone of Ronaldo's stature requires special consideration but emphasized that team rules apply to all players.
Ronaldo's decision to leave follows a match where he did not play against Norway and had not trained with the team since. His last appearance was in Portugal's victory over Wales, where he was substituted in the second half.