The lights were still on in Copenhagen when Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the Portugal camp became the story of the night. Frustrated after remaining unused in the 2-1 defeat to Norway, the Al-Nassr forward left the squad on Wednesday and flew privately to Madrid after a breakdown with coach Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo leaves after Norway omission
Ronaldo had reportedly been unhappy with his handling during the Norway match, having spent around 30 minutes warming up without being brought on. The dispute deepened days later when Jesus addressed his authority over the national-team group in a press conference.
“I make the decisions,” Jesus said. “Those who have worked with me know that. At a club, the president is in charge, but I am in charge of the team.”
The comments were said to have angered Ronaldo, who felt the coach had failed to deliver on a private commitment to apologise publicly for the Norway episode.
Meeting failed to resolve dispute
- On Tuesday evening, Ronaldo, Portuguese Football Federation president and Jesus reportedly held a meeting to discuss the forward’s frustration.
- Jesus was said to have apologised privately for making Ronaldo warm up without using him against Norway.
- The coach was also alleged to have promised that he would acknowledge the error in public during his next media appearance.
- Instead, Jesus stressed his control over team selection and the squad, prompting Ronaldo to leave the training ground after learning what had been said.
- Ronaldo then departed the team hotel before the rest of the players returned from training, without saying goodbye to his team-mates.
It was claimed that the 39-year-old intends to explain his decision at a later stage.
Private flight to Madrid
Ronaldo arranged for his private aircraft to collect him in Copenhagen. The flight drew major attention on aircraft-tracking platforms as the Portugal captain prepared to leave the camp.
- The aircraft arrived in Copenhagen at 22:15.
- Ronaldo boarded despite late efforts from Jesus and the federation president to persuade him to remain with the squad.
- The plane took off for Madrid at 23:35.
- After a journey lasting a little over three hours, it landed in the Spanish capital at 02:40.
Several people were waiting for Ronaldo in Madrid, with some entering a restricted area near the airport. Television cameras captured the unusual scenes as the forward arrived at the city where he lives when not in Saudi Arabia.
