Portugal national team captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has pulled out of Portugal training camp following ongoing rift with new coach, Juan Jesus.
Ronaldo was an unused substitute in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway in their UEFA Nations League match on Sunday despite over 20 minutes of warm up.
The 41-year-old did not celebrate with the team on the pitch, leaving early to the dressing room.
Coach Jesus who took over the team after an underwhelming 2026 FIFA World Cup waved off questions of possible rift with the country’s record highest goalscorer who is only 21 goals from reaching an unprecedented 1000 career goals.
The former Benfica coach also claimed Ronaldo was informed he would not start and might be brought on later in the match.
Despite the intervention of the Portugal Football Federation president, Ronaldo, however, decided to leave his national teammates, and promised to reveal the behind-the-scene issues at a later date.
“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 camp.
“In time, I will tell all the Portuguese the truth about the reasons that motivated me to leave the national team, to which I always devoted myself.”
The Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus legend also wished the team well in its upcoming matches
“Now is the time to wish Portugal and all my teammates good luck, without exception.”
Ronaldo has won three major titles with the Portugal national team, including the Euro 2016, and the UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
