Cristiano Ronaldo flies to Riyadh following training camp exit under Jorge Jesus

Departure from Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo is scheduled to leave Europe for Saudi Arabia on Sunday, heading to Riyadh on a private flight just hours before Portugal plays Norway in Porto. The 41-year-old forward has been staying in Madrid since Wednesday after abruptly leaving the national team training camp. Data from Flightradar24 indicates his Bombardier Global Express XRS is set to take off from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport at 13:13 local time and land at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh at 19:44 local time. The departure comes ahead of Portugal's Nations League fixture at Estadio do Dragao, scheduled for 20:45.

Dispute with Jorge Jesus

Ronaldo's departure follows growing tension with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus. After playing 67 minutes in a 1-0 win against Wales in September, the forward remained an unused substitute during Portugal's 2-1 victory over Norway. Ronaldo spent that entire match on the substitute bench despite participating in warm-ups. Relations deteriorated further when Jorge Jesus stated before the Denmark match that team selection rules apply equally to all squad members. Ronaldo perceived the manager's public remarks and unkept commitments as a breach of trust. Before leaving the team base, Ronaldo held discussions with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca.

The most important thing must be the national team. We must do our job well, in harmony with our nation, flag, and objective. That does not mean I can ignore Cris.

Camp reactions and leadership

Portugal has continued its Nations League campaign without its longtime captain, securing three wins from three matches. In Ronaldo's absence, Bruno Fernandes assumed the captain's armband as Portugal defeated Denmark 4-2. The Portuguese Football Federation sought to arrange a mediation meeting between Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus, which the manager agreed to hold following the upcoming international fixtures. Speaking ahead of the second meeting with Norway, Fernandes urged supporters and commentators to avoid division over the forward's status.

I spoke with Cristiano Ronaldo and told him that he is and always will remain the greatest icon of our national team and our country. He deserves the respect of all Portuguese people, regardless of whether someone likes him more or less.

National team record and next steps

Jorge Jesus reiterated that discussions regarding Ronaldo's international future will take place after the Norway match, describing the forward as an enduring symbol of Portuguese football. Neither Ronaldo nor the federation has formally announced his retirement from international football, though Portuguese media note that a return remains unlikely while Jesus manages the team. Ronaldo holds the all-time record for international appearances and goals, scoring 146 goals in 234 matches for Portugal since first captaining the squad on 6 February 2007 against Brazil. Following the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Ronaldo had agreed with the federation and Jorge Jesus to continue playing for the national side. A victory over Norway on Sunday evening would place Portugal into the Nations League quarter-finals.