Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal's camp due to reported rift with manager

Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s national team camp one day before its UEFA Nations League game against Denmark. In an Instagram post, Ronaldo announced he was leaving the team after manager Jorge Jesus said he was planning to not start the 41-year-old. “Following the press conference with the National Team Coach, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have made the decision to leave the National Team training camp,” Ronaldo wrote. “In due course, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that motivated my departure from the national team, to which I have always been dedicated. “Now it is time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception.” View this post on Instagram Ronaldo did not play during Sunday’s 2-1 win over Norway. Jesus said that he told the five-time Ballon d’Or winner he would likely be a part of the match, but changed course based on how the game was going. Jesus acknowledged he was wrong to have Ronaldo warm up and not use him, but he did not apologize for telling the player he would likely be involved. "I can promise whatever I want, I'm the coach," said Jesus, who replaced Roberto Martínez four days after Portugal was eliminated by eventual World Cup champion Spain in the Round of 16. "No player will ever make a decision for me." OSLO, NORWAY - Cristiano Ronaldo seen during UEFA Nations League 2026 football match between Norway vs Portugal at Ullevaal Stadion. (Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) SOPA Images via Getty Images Jesus, who coached Ronaldo last season in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, said in a pregame news conference before Ronaldo departed camp that the players understand the manager makes the decisions and that Ronaldo told him he was fine with that. "It seems like there was an issue between us, but there was no issue," Jesus said. "I'm the one who makes the decisions and everybody knows that." The situation led to a meeting with Jesus, Pedro Proença, president of the Portugese Football Federation, and Ronaldo, but Jesus said “there was nothing to solve.” Ronaldo's only appearance for Portugal during this international window came last Thursday during a 1-0 win over Wales. He played 67 minutes before being substituted.