Cristiano Ronaldo has left the Portugal squad following a falling-out with manager Jorge Jesus, just days ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Denmark. The 41-year-old forward skipped training and exited the camp, with reports from Portuguese outlet O Jogo suggesting Ronaldo no longer wishes to play for his country.
The situation escalated rapidly after tensions between Ronaldo and Jesus, who recently took over as Portugal’s head coach, became public. Jesus, known for his tough managerial style and having previously clashed with high-profile players such as Neymar at Al-Hilal, appears to have decisively ended Ronaldo’s international involvement. O Jogo described the manager as the “gravedigger of legends,” implying that Jesus has effectively brought Ronaldo’s Portugal career to a close.
Ronaldo’s departure leaves Portugal without their all-time leading scorer just before their crucial fixture against Denmark. The match, scheduled for later this week, now looms without one of the team’s most influential figures. There has been no official statement from the Portuguese Football Federation or from Jorge Jesus confirming the full details of the dispute.
Ronaldo broke his silence after leaving the squad, though the content of his remarks has not been disclosed in full. His absence from training and subsequent exit from the camp mark a sudden and dramatic end to his latest international call-up.
This development continues a turbulent spell surrounding the veteran forward, who has faced criticism and challenges at club and international level in recent years. It also adds pressure on Jorge Jesus, who assumed the Portugal coaching role with high expectations but now faces the fallout of this high-profile rift.
Portugal’s upcoming game against Denmark is set to kick off at 20:45 local time, televised by L’Equipe, alongside other major qualifiers including Germany versus Serbia and Greece against the Netherlands. The outcome of the Denmark match will be watched closely amid the uncertainty surrounding Portugal’s squad.
As of now, no further updates have been confirmed regarding Ronaldo’s future with the national team or any resolution between the player and the coach. The fallout from this clash hangs over Portugal’s preparations, raising questions about the team’s path forward without their veteran star.
According to Yahoo Sports.
