Cristiano Ronaldo has ended his international career with the Portugal national team. The 41-year-old forward left the squad's camp in Copenhagen after a public disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus, stating he will not return while the coach remains in charge.
The decision followed Jesus informing Ronaldo he would not be selected for the Nations League matches against Norway and Denmark. The coach reaffirmed his authority over squad management, citing load control for the captain's playing time, a process already underway at his club, Al-Nassr. Ronaldo, who had not played for Portugal since the match against Norway on October 27 last year, confirmed his departure via a social media post, promising to tell the truth behind his reasons.
Immediate consequences for the team
The exit of Portugal's all-time top scorer, with 146 goals, comes as the team leads Nations League Group D with six points. Portugal beat Norway 2-1 last Saturday with goals from João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos and now prepares to face Denmark this Tuesday. Without Ronaldo, Jorge Jesus has six players available for these decisive fixtures.
Commentator Rui Santos reflected on the long-term impact. "I believe that with this coach, Cristiano Ronaldo will not return to the National Team," he said. The situation could also have disciplinary consequences for the player, with Article 160 of the Portuguese Football Federation's disciplinary code foreseeing a suspension of one to six months for abandoning national team activities.
The current sporting context
The team's recent form reads three wins, one draw, and one loss from its last five matches. The latest victory over Norway keeps the team two points behind group leaders Colombia.
FPF president Pedro Proença was the figure who mediated the final conversation with Ronaldo in Copenhagen before his departure. The economic value of the star's absence has also been raised, with estimates suggesting a significant portion of the federation's annual revenue is directly tied to his presence in the team. Portugal, the most successful nation in Nations League history with two titles, the last won in 2025, must now focus on the match against Denmark at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto, scheduled for Tuesday at 15:45.
This story first appeared at CNN Portugal
