In Oslo, Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway ended with an unusual image involving Cristiano Ronaldo: while the squad made its way towards the travelling support at Ullevaal Stadion, the 41-year-old forward headed straight for the dressing room.
Ronaldo did not play a minute in the match, having been left on the bench throughout by Portugal coach Jorge Jesus. Starters and substitutes alike gathered near the Portuguese section after the final whistle to acknowledge the fans and celebrate the away win, but Ronaldo was not part of that moment on the pitch.
A rare full-match absence
It was the first time Ronaldo had spent an entire match among Portugal’s substitutes since June 2024, when he remained unused for a friendly against Croatia at Lisbon’s Estádio do Jamor during preparations for the European Championship.
His last full match on the bench in a competitive international came much earlier. Portugal had already secured progression from their Euro 2008 group when Ronaldo was not used against Switzerland.
Jorge Jesus did not address Ronaldo’s decision to leave the field immediately when asked about it in the post-match interview area. Portugal, however, departed the Norwegian capital with three points after the 2-1 result.
