Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s international camp and said he will reveal the reasons for his departure “in time”, escalating uncertainty around his relationship with new head coach Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo’s decision follows Jesus’s insistence that there had been no dispute with the captain, despite reports that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had refused to train after being left on the bench for Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway.
The 41-year-old had started the opening match of the international break against Wales but did not feature in Oslo on Sunday. At the final whistle, Ronaldo also went straight to the dressing room rather than joining his team-mates in acknowledging the travelling supporters.
Jesus dismissed suggestions of a falling-out before Thursday’s Nations League meeting with Denmark.
“There was no incident whatsoever,” he said. “Any player, and I was a player myself, when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don’t get on, no-one is happy about that.”
Jesus said he had informed Ronaldo before the Norway match that he would not start but could be introduced later. He ultimately decided against bringing him on.
The former Benfica manager also rejected claims that Ronaldo had refused to train, explaining that the forward had instead completed individual mobility and strengthening exercises before being due to resume normal training.
Ronaldo did not appear with the squad on the pitch in Denmark, however, and Portuguese media later showed footage of him leaving Parken Stadium with two members of the backroom staff.
The forward subsequently confirmed his departure on Instagram.
“After the press conference of the national team 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 time, I will tell all the Portuguese the truth about the reasons that motivated me to leave.”
Jesus had indicated that Gonçalo Ramos would again start against Denmark, saying Ronaldo would only be introduced if required.
