Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has left the national team’s training camp in Denmark and vowed to reveal “the truth” behind his departure following a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus.
Reports of a rift between the veteran forward and Jorge Jesus, who previously managed Ronaldo at Al Nassr, surfaced after the six-time Ballon d’Or winner was left as an unused substitute during Sunday’s UEFA Nations League victory over Norway.
Jorge Jesus insisted during a press conference on Wednesday that “there was no incident whatsoever,” claiming the player was scheduled to resume training ahead of Thursday’s fixture against Denmark in Copenhagen.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo announced his departure from the squad via a statement on Instagram:
“Following the national team manager’s press conference, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the national team’s training camp. In due course, I will tell the Portuguese people the truth about the reasons behind my departure from the national team, to which I have always been dedicated. Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception.”
Spanish media outlet Marca reported that Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s all-time record goalscorer and most-capped player, departed Denmark via a private jet bound for Madrid.
The forward has not participated in team training since Sunday’s match against Norway, which saw his replacement, Gonçalo Ramos, score the winning goal. Ronaldo had started in Portugal’s opening Nations League match against Wales last Thursday, missing several scoring chances and having a second-half effort disallowed by VAR before being substituted in the 67th minute.
The appearance against Wales marked his 234th cap for Portugal. His abrupt exit from the squad ahead of the Denmark fixture casts uncertainty over his international future.
Over a 23-year career with the senior national team, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances. While he has frequently expressed a desire to reach 1,000 career goals, currently sitting at 979, achieving the milestone may now rely entirely on his club career with Al Nassr.