Cristiano Ronaldo could face a lengthy suspension and financial penalty after abruptly leaving Portugal’s national team camp in Copenhagen following growing tension surrounding his role in the squad.
The 41 year old Al Nassr forward left the Portugal camp on Wednesday, September 30, after holding a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença. Ronaldo later confirmed his departure on social media but did not immediately reveal the specific reason behind his decision.
The development came shortly after Portugal coach Jorge Jesus announced that Ronaldo was not expected to start against Denmark in their Nations League encounter...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Tension had reportedly been building since Portugal’s 2 to 1 victory over Norway, a match in which Ronaldo remained an unused substitute despite warming up during the game.
Jesus later acknowledged that Ronaldo was unhappy about the situation but insisted that the disagreement had been resolved. The coach also explained that he had initially considered bringing Ronaldo onto the pitch before changing his decision based on how the match developed.
However, Ronaldo subsequently left the national team camp, with reports stating that he travelled to Madrid after collecting his belongings.
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed that Ronaldo had left the camp but did not provide details about the circumstances surrounding his departure.
Ronaldo could now face disciplinary proceedings under the federation’s regulations. The rules state that a player who leaves or fails to attend national team activities without justification can receive a suspension ranging from one to six months.
Professional players can also face a financial penalty under the same regulations, with the applicable fine reported to be between approximately €500 and €1,000.
However, a six month suspension has not been imposed on Ronaldo. Any punishment would depend on how the Portuguese Football Federation assesses the circumstances surrounding his departure and whether it considers the absence unjustified.
Ronaldo’s departure has also raised questions about his future with Portugal. The veteran forward is the country’s all time leading scorer and record appearance holder, and his sudden exit has fuelled speculation about whether he will continue representing the national team.
Before leaving, Ronaldo said he would eventually reveal the truth about the circumstances that led to his decision. He also wished Portugal and his teammates success in their upcoming matches.
Jesus has meanwhile maintained that there is no personal feud between himself and Ronaldo. The coach has emphasised that while experienced players deserve respect for their careers, tactical decisions ultimately belong to the manager.
The situation has attracted significant attention because of Ronaldo’s status as Portugal’s most recognisable footballer and one of the country’s most decorated players.
Following his departure, Rafael Leão was handed Portugal’s famous number seven shirt for the Denmark fixture, adding another notable development to an already dramatic episode.
For now, Ronaldo’s immediate international future remains uncertain. The Portuguese Football Federation is yet to announce a final disciplinary decision, while the football world awaits Ronaldo’s promised explanation for why he chose to leave the national team camp.
