Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal training camp in Copenhagen following coach dispute
Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal's squad in Copenhagen following a disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus, prompting reports of his permanent retirement after 234 international appearances.
Departure from Copenhagen
Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal's national team training camp in Copenhagen on Wednesday following a dispute connected to head coach Jorge Jesus's pre-match press conference. The forward departed the camp after holding discussions with Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proença. Ronaldo subsequently flew from Denmark to Madrid to spend the night. The incident occurred on the eve of Portugal's Nations League fixture against Denmark.
Prior to leaving the camp, Ronaldo issued a statement on social media confirming his sudden exit.
After the national coach's press conference, and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the national team training camp. In due time, I will tell the truth to all Portuguese people about the reasons that motivated my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself.
Federation response and upcoming fixtures
The Portuguese Football Federation issued an official statement late Wednesday confirming the captain's departure and announcing that the squad had been reduced to 24 players. Portuguese officials stated that preparations would continue without interruption for the match in Copenhagen and the subsequent fixture against Norway scheduled for Sunday, 4 October at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto. Federation leadership stressed that the remaining players retain complete focus on meeting their tournament targets.
The Portuguese Football Federation informs that the Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo has left the National Team training camp, which is taking place in Copenhagen. The preparation for the matches against Denmark and Norway, the latter to be played at the Estádio do Dragão, will continue as planned, with the remaining 24 players called up. The entire delegation maintains absolute focus on the upcoming commitments of the National Team and on achieving the defined goals.
- Jorge Jesus conducts pre-match press conference in Copenhagen ahead of Nations League fixture.
- Cristiano Ronaldo speaks with FPF president Pedro Proença and announces departure from team camp.
- FPF confirms squad reduction to 24 players while Ronaldo travels to Madrid.
- O Jogo reports Ronaldo's definitive retirement from the Portuguese national team.
Reports of permanent international retirement
Portuguese sports daily O Jogo reported on Thursday morning that Ronaldo will not return to the national team, concluding an international career spanning 234 caps and 146 goals. Under this reported timeline, Portugal's prior fixture against Wales stands as his final international appearance. Spanish sports newspaper Diario AS director José Félix Díaz stated on television programme El Chiringuito de Jugones that the federation had previously been willing to accept Ronaldo's retirement after the 2026 World Cup. Broadcast colleague Edu Aguirre stated that no prior retirement conversation had taken place with the captain.
Family and public reactions
Family members and Portuguese athletes responded across social media channels following the forward's sudden departure. Ronaldo's sister, Elma Aveiro, shared a public post asserting that her brother deserved greater respect and criticizing national football management. Aveiro endorsed the statement with the caption saying everything had been said. Portuguese Olympic canoeist Fernando Pimenta noted that commentators had previously attempted to dismiss his own sporting career in 2013 before he amassed 150 international medals, wishing for an internal resolution. Actor Eduardo Madeira also published a message thanking Ronaldo for his contributions to the national side.
