Cristiano Ronaldo says he left Portugal’s training camp after Jorge Jesus broke a second promise to him, insisting “the truth is the most important thing in relationships”.
The 41-year-old captain issued a lengthy statement on Tuesday explaining the disagreement with the Portugal manager. Ronaldo had left camp before the match against Denmark after not playing against Norway in the Nations League.
Portugal reached the quarter-finals after winning all four group matches and collecting 12 points. Ronaldo played only the opening game, a 1-0 victory over Wales.
Ronaldo said he had prepared a farewell message for the Portuguese people after the 2026 World Cup, but changed his mind after the president of the Federacao Portuguesa de Futebol asked him to continue. He said the president also sought his view on the appointment of Jesus, who Ronaldo supported as “the best option”.
After Jesus took charge, Ronaldo said the manager told him he was central to his plans and would play the first and final matches of the camp, with three or four changes in between for fitness reasons. Jesus proposed that Ronaldo play the opening match, remain in Portugal for the trips to Norway and Denmark, and rejoin the squad before the game at Estadio do Dragao.
Ronaldo rejected that plan, saying it would not set the right example for the captain to receive special treatment. He said Jesus accepted his argument during a meeting at Cidade do Futebol, attended by Simo Coutinho, Al Nassr’s sporting director, who had reported to Jesus during the previous season and helped bring him to the club in 2025.
The forward said Jesus subsequently visited his home in Lisbon and confirmed the original arrangement. Ronaldo played at Estadio Jose Alvalade, handed the captain’s armband to Bruno Fernandes when he was substituted and said he caused no problems.
Before the Norway match, however, Jesus asked whether Ronaldo could play 30 minutes. Although this disrupted his recovery plan, Ronaldo agreed. He warmed up from half-time but was not introduced, which he described as the manager breaking his word.
Ronaldo admitted he failed to greet the supporters afterwards, apologising to Portugal’s fans and those who had travelled to watch him. Two days later, he said, he, Jesus and Coutinho agreed that Jesus would explain at a news conference that Ronaldo had not requested to play, that the plan had been the manager’s, and that it had been a mistake to make him warm up without using him.
Ronaldo said a subsequent video meeting involving Jesus, Coutinho and Tiago Craveiro became hostile. He said the manager did not repeat the agreed explanation and that this was the second promise he had broken.
The statement included Jesus’ proposed notes: Ronaldo had accepted the plan; his commitment and professionalism had never been questioned; Jesus had decided to consider using him against Norway after he recovered; and he had made a mistake by warming up a player of “Pele or Maradona’s stature” without selecting him. Jesus also said he wanted Ronaldo “a lot” in the national team and that his failure to greet supporters was frustration, not a lack of affection for Portugal.
Ronaldo left camp, apologised to his team-mates and said the Federacao Portuguesa de Futebol should assess and punish his conduct without reducing the sanction because he was captain. He rejected claims that he needed a ceremonial farewell, although he promised supporters there would be one or more farewell matches in time.
He added that his priority remained competing and winning for Portugal. After serving his suspension, Ronaldo said he would remain available whenever fit and playing for his club.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 6 October 2026
