Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s training camp after being left on the bench for the team’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway.
The 41-year-old Al Nassr forward was an unused substitute, despite his status as one of Portugal’s most decorated players. His departure came after a reported disagreement over manager Jorge Jesus’s decision not to bring him on.
Ronaldo has remained prolific for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, but his recent performances for Portugal have prompted questions over whether he can continue to operate at international level.
Cristiano Ronaldo statement on Portugal departure
Ronaldo confirmed his decision in a statement posted on Instagram, saying: “After the press conference of the national team and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team training camp.”
He added: “In time, I will tell all the Portuguese the truth about the reasons that motivated me to leave.”
Jesus rejected the suggestion that there had been a major incident, saying: “There was no incident whatsoever.”
The Portugal manager acknowledged that Ronaldo would have been frustrated after warming up without being selected, but insisted selection would depend on the team’s needs.
“Any player – and I was a player myself – when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don’t get on, no-one is happy about that,” Jesus said.
He added: “If I need [Ronaldo], he’ll come on. If I don’t need him, he won’t.”
