Cristiano Ronaldo was accompanied by another member of Portugal’s staff when he unexpectedly left the national team’s camp in Copenhagen on Wednesday, according to Record.
Antonio Costa, the team’s clothing and equipment officer, was instructed to pack his belongings and travel with Ronaldo after the forward’s departure from the Portugal camp.
Record reported that Costa was the additional member of the backroom staff ordered to leave immediately alongside the captain. The newspaper did not give any further details about the instructions or the circumstances surrounding Costa’s departure.
Ronaldo left the camp angry following a dispute involving Portugal manager Jorge Jesus. The forward later explained on social media that he had taken the decision after the manager’s news conference and a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation.
He said he was waiting for the appropriate time to clarify the facts to the Portuguese public and explain why he had left the camp.
The incident has continued to attract attention in Portugal, with the circumstances of Ronaldo’s departure remaining the focus of discussion since Wednesday. The involvement of another member of the national team’s support staff had not previously been widely reported.
Portugal are due to face Norway on Sunday evening in their fourth match of the UEFA Nations League. The fixture will be the team’s second game since Ronaldo left the camp.
Portugal beat Denmark 4-2 on Thursday, their first match without Ronaldo after his departure. That result came three days before the meeting with Norway and kept the team’s Nations League campaign moving forward despite the disruption surrounding the forward.
Record’s report, published on 4 October 2026, said the staff member had been told to “make his bags” and follow Portugal’s captain. Costa’s role involves responsibility for the players’ clothing and equipment, placing him among the personnel who work closely with the squad during international camps.
Ronaldo has yet to provide the fuller explanation he promised. His initial statement confirmed that he wanted to address the Portuguese public at a later stage, rather than immediately setting out the details of his disagreement with Jorge Jesus or the conversation with the federation president.
