Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his departure from the Portugal national team training camp, saying he will later reveal the reasons behind his decision.
Ronaldo made the announcement following Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus’ press conference and a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation.
“After the National Team coach’s press conference, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the National Team training camp,” Ronaldo said.
The Portugal captain did not immediately disclose what prompted his departure but said he would tell the Portuguese people the reasons in due time.
“In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself,” he said.
Ronaldo added: “Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates.”
His announcement came shortly after Jesus denied reports of a rift between him and Ronaldo following the forward’s absence from Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway in Oslo on Sunday.
Ronaldo did not feature in the match and reportedly did not join his teammates in acknowledging the travelling Portuguese supporters after the final whistle.
The 41-year-old instead headed to the dressing room, prompting reports that he was unhappy with the manager.
However, Jesus rejected suggestions of an incident involving the captain when he spoke to the media ahead of Portugal’s Nations League match against Denmark on Thursday.
“There was no incident whatsoever,” Jesus said.
“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 had informed Ronaldo before the Norway match that he would not start but could be introduced later in the game.
“Afterwards, as coach, I decided not to bring him on. It’s nothing to make a fuss about,” he added.
The former Benfica manager also dismissed reports that Ronaldo had refused to train on Tuesday.
According to Jesus, Ronaldo had instead been required to complete individual exercises focused on “mobility” and “strengthening” before returning to normal team training on Wednesday.
Despite Jesus’ comments, Ronaldo subsequently did not join his teammates on the pitch in Denmark.
Portuguese media also shared a video showing Ronaldo leaving Parken Stadium alongside two members of the backroom staff and reported that his private jet was heading to Copenhagen.
Jesus had earlier indicated that Goncalo Ramos would again be preferred to Ronaldo for the Denmark match.
“If everything goes according to plan, it will be Goncalo who plays,” Jesus said.
“If I need [Ronaldo], he’ll come on. If I don’t need him, he won’t.”
Ronaldo, Portugal’s all-time leading scorer, has not provided further details about his conversation with the federation president or the circumstances surrounding his decision to leave the camp.
He said he would disclose the reasons for his departure at a later date.
