Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s national team training camp, flying home from Madrid aboard his private jet after a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus. The move comes days after Ronaldo was left out of the starting XI for Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway in Oslo, a match where his replacement Goncalo Ramos scored the winner.
The fallout has been fast and messy. Ronaldo’s departure follows a week of tense meetings, public statements and a secret gathering in Copenhagen. The Portuguese Football Federation appointed Jesus as head coach after Roberto Martinez resigned, and Ronaldo’s response to that decision has been the centre of attention ever since.
The Summer Trigger
The saga began at the 2026 World Cup, where Portugal were eliminated by Spain in the Round of 16. Ronaldo announced he had played his last World Cup match after the defeat, saying it was “not the right time” to make a decision on his future in the national team.
He turned 41 earlier this year and previously worked under Jesus at Al-Nassr, where he won his first Pro Saudi League title since joining in 2023. When Jesus was unveiled as Portugal’s new boss, his first comments about Ronaldo were warm.
“He will never be a problem, either for the Selecao or for me,” Jesus said. “I had the pleasure of working with him for a year. When I thought he should play, he played. When I thought he shouldn’t play, he didn’t. I’ll do what I think is best for the Selecao.”
September 18: Ronaldo in the Squad
Ronaldo was included in the roster for the four opening matches of the UEFA Nations League against Norway, Wales and Denmark. The first of those games came on September 23, when Portugal faced Wales in Lisbon.
September 23: Press Conference
Both Jesus and Ronaldo spoke together ahead of the debut against Wales. Ronaldo said he had met with Jesus and Portuguese FA president Pedro Proenca after the World Cup.
“They said they are counting on me for the coming matches,” Ronaldo said. “I feel I can help with my performances and my goals, not because of my CV. The day I feel the coach and the president don’t count on me, I’ll be the first to pack my bags and leave.”
September 24: Ronaldo Starts vs. Wales
Cristiano Ronaldo was in the starting eleven against Wales at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, the stadium where he made his professional debut with Sporting CP. His goal was ruled out by VAR, and he was replaced by Goncalo Ramos late in the game.
He received an ovation from the fans as he left the pitch.
September 27: Left Out vs. Norway
The turning point came on September 27. Ronaldo was not in the starting squad for Portugal’s match in Oslo, though he was among the substitutes. Ramos scored the winning goal.
Sunday’s game was only the third time Ronaldo had been benched for 90 minutes since he became a regular for Portugal 22 years ago. Jesus asked Ronaldo to train on the sidelines to get ready and potentially play some minutes, but it did not happen.
As the game ended, Ronaldo went straight down the tunnel and did not join his teammates to applaud the away fans in Oslo.
After the Game
Jesus was asked about Ronaldo’s absence from the applause. His response was defensive.
“You will have to ask Ronaldo [why he didn’t applaud the fans],” Jesus said. “I didn’t realise that happened. I will talk to him. As regards not bringing him on, I told Ronaldo before the match I would sub him on in the second half, but the way the match was panning out it did not make sense to do so.”
September 29: Secret Meeting
Things did not cool down after the game. Portuguese media reported that a secret meeting between Jesus, Ronaldo and the president of the Portuguese FA took place in Copenhagen on the evening before the next press conference.
According to the reports, Ronaldo did not train with the team on Monday and Tuesday and worked alone in the gym.
September 30: Explosive Press Conference
The big day came on Wednesday. Jesus spoke at the usual pre-match press conference, and his words were blunt.
“They forced me to talk to him about an issue that wasn’t even an issue,” Jesus said. “There was nothing to talk about. He never trains on the first or second day after a game. He never refused anything. If you look, he’s training today. Do you think any player at the level of a national team would refuse to train? Only if he wanted to leave. Nobody refuses to train.”
Jesus went further.
“Don’t try to make a fuss where there isn’t one,” he said. “It was a coach’s decision; I had a plan. I can say to any player that you’re starting on the bench; if I need you for 30 minutes, you’re going to play; if I don’t need you, you’re not going to play. The way I was reading the game (against Norway), he didn’t come on. Because it’s not Cristiano, just like it will never be any player that will change my ideas as the coach. Never.”
While Jesus was still speaking, Ronaldo made his decision. His personal jet took off from Madrid, and he left the Portuguese national team camp before training.
Later, he posted on his social media channels.
“After the National Team coach’s press conference, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the National Team training camp,” Ronaldo wrote. “In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself… Now it’s the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates!”
October 1: Portugal Win Again Without Ronaldo
Only a few hours before Portugal’s game against Denmark on Thursday, the Portuguese FA announced that Rafael Leao will wear the number seven jersey, the one Ronaldo used throughout his career.
Portugal won 4-2 against Denmark, a game that also saw Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund imitate Ronaldo’s iconic celebration after scoring.
What We Know
- Ronaldo was benched for Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway in Oslo on September 27
- Ramos scored the winning goal in that match
- Ronaldo was not present to join his teammates in applauding the away fans after the game
- Ronaldo left the camp on September 30, flying from Madrid
- Jesus said Ronaldo never refused to train, adding that Ronaldo trains on the first or second day after a game
The Irony of It All
The irony here is that Jesus, the man who once said Ronaldo “will never be a problem,” is now insisting Ronaldo’s behaviour was not a problem at all. He described the situation as a coach’s decision and a plan that simply did not require Ronaldo’s involvement.
And yet Ronaldo flew home before training, effectively refusing to participate in the camp at all.
Jesus, for his part, seems convinced that the whole episode was a manufactured controversy. He framed Ronaldo’s absence from the applause as a non-issue and his own benching decision as routine.
The truth about why Ronaldo left, according to his own account, will come later. Until then, the story is over for now.
For now, the saga has reached its current conclusion. Ronaldo has left the camp, and Portugal will move forward without him. The question of whether this is the end of Ronaldo’s international career remains open.
Source material: “Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal crisis: Timeline of events as 41-year-old star gets benched and leaves team,” CBS Sports.
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