Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp in Denmark after coach Jorge Jesus confirmed he would not start the upcoming Nations League match against Denmark.
Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s training camp in Denmark after coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that the veteran striker would not start Thursday’s Nations League match against Denmark.
Ronaldo had been expected to train with his Portugal teammates at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium on Wednesday. However, he left the venue shortly after Jesus spoke to reporters and confirmed that the captain would again begin the match on the bench.
Ronaldo later announced his departure in an Instagram post, saying he had decided to leave after Jesus’ press conference and a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation.
“After the national team coach’s press conference, and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the national team’s training camp,” Ronaldo wrote.
He said he would explain the reasons for his departure “in due time” and wished Portugal and his teammates the best of luck.
Jesus rejected suggestions of a disagreement with Ronaldo but acknowledged that the 41-year-old was unhappy after being left on the bench during Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway on Sunday.
“There was no incident whatsoever,” Jesus told reporters. He said it was understandable for a player to be unhappy after warming up for 20 or 30 minutes without entering the match.
Jesus said he had informed Ronaldo before the Norway game that he would not start and had indicated that he could bring him on later. However, the coach ultimately decided not to use him.
The former Benfica coach also denied reports that Ronaldo had refused to train on Tuesday. Jesus said the forward had instead completed individual exercises focused on mobility and strengthening.
Although Ronaldo arrived at Parken Stadium with the Portugal squad on Wednesday, he did not join his teammates on the field. Portuguese media later published footage showing him leaving the stadium with two members of the backroom staff.
The Portuguese Football Federation subsequently confirmed that Ronaldo had departed the training camp, adding that preparations for the matches against Denmark and Norway would continue with the remaining 24 squad members.
Jesus had indicated that AC Milan striker Goncalo Ramos would start against Denmark after scoring the winning goal against Norway. He said Ronaldo could be introduced if required but would remain on the bench if his services were not needed.
Ronaldo’s departure also triggered a reaction from his sister, Elma Aveiro, who criticized the Portuguese public in an Instagram post.
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