Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal squad in Copenhagen after bench dispute with Jorge Jesus

Departure from Copenhagen camp

Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal's national team camp in Copenhagen on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Denmark. The 41-year-old forward departed the squad hotel on a private jet bound for Madrid while his teammates went out for an evening training session. His exit followed a press briefing held by head coach Jorge Jesus and a direct conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca, who had travelled to Denmark on Tuesday evening in an attempt to resolve internal friction. Ronaldo released a statement confirming his departure from the squad shortly after leaving the premises.

Directly after the national team coach's press conference and after speaking with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the national team camp. In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people about the reasons that motivated me to leave the national team, for which I have always dedicated myself. Now it is time to wish good luck to Portugal and all my teammates.

Escalation across Nations League fixtures

Tensions inside the camp developed across the opening fixtures of the current Nations League campaign. In the opening match against Wales, Portugal won 1-0, with Ronaldo starting before being substituted in the 67th minute. Friction deepened on Sunday during a 2-1 victory over Norway in Oslo, where Ronaldo remained on the substitutes' bench for the entirety of the match despite completing extended warm-ups on the touchline. The fixture marked the first occasion in 18 years that the forward sat through a competitive national team match without receiving minutes. Following the final whistle in Oslo, Ronaldo walked directly to the locker room rather than acknowledging travelling supporters with the squad.

Squad management and coaching authority

On Tuesday, Ronaldo did not take part in standard group training, prompting Proenca's urgent flight to Copenhagen. Jesus stated that Ronaldo had engaged in individual gym and recovery sessions, while confirming that he had outlined his rotation plans prior to the Norway fixture. The coach explained that his previous spell working with Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr gave him clear insight into the veteran striker's physical workload limits. Jesus reiterated that no player or federation official holds the authority to overturn tactical and selection choices made by the technical staff.

I am the coach. I told the player that he would not play and would sit on the bench. If I need you for 30 minutes, you play 30 minutes, if not, then no. No player will change my decision. Neither him, nor anyone else, no president. Nobody, absolutely nobody.

International career and Denmark fixture

Portugal enters Thursday's match against Denmark holding six points from their first two Nations League matches. Ronaldo made his senior international debut in 2003, accumulating a total of 234 caps and 146 goals for his country. During his international career, Portugal secured one European Championship title and two Nations League trophies, alongside a fourth-place finish at the World Cup. Spanish sports newspaper Marca reported that the walkout could represent the definitive conclusion of the striker's international career, while Jesus maintained that the squad will proceed with its tactical plans for Copenhagen.