Portugal’s final pre-match session in Copenhagen was meant to settle attention on Denmark. Instead, Cristiano Ronaldo left the stadium in a Portuguese Federation vehicle as his team-mates began training, deepening the uncertainty around the 41-year-old captain’s international future.
Ronaldo’s departure came shortly after Jorge Jesus had insisted there was “no Ronaldo issue” and said the five-time Ballon d’Or winner would join the group ahead of Thursday’s game against Denmark. Earlier in the day, Ronaldo had held an urgent meeting with Jesus and federation president Pedro Proença, who arrived to join the squad during the night, 36 hours earlier than planned.
The situation followed Ronaldo’s absence from Tuesday’s full squad work during Portugal’s stop in Malmö. Jesus denied that the forward had declined to train, explaining that Ronaldo had completed gym and strengthening work after a mobilisation session on the pitch.
“He did not refuse to train,” Jesus said. “He worked indoors, then did strengthening work at the hotel. He was due to train today because it was the fourth day. It would be impossible for Cristiano to refuse training. No player refuses to train for Portugal.”
Jesus said Ronaldo’s workload had been planned in advance, alongside the management of Bruno Fernandes. The coach stated that Ronaldo was not expected to play in either Norway or Denmark because of his physical condition, drawing on his previous experience of working with him in Saudi Arabia.
“I worked with him for a year and know his body very well,” Jesus said. “When matches came every three days, he rarely played consecutively. He never trains on the first or second day after a match.”
Ronaldo was substituted during Portugal’s 1-0 win over Wales and remained unused in the 2-1 victory in Norway. He also did not celebrate with the squad on the Oslo pitch after Sunday’s win, a sequence that added to the tension surrounding the captain.
His exit in Copenhagen now leaves Portugal facing Denmark without clarity over whether Ronaldo will return to the camp. With his international career apparently approaching its closing chapter, the image of him leaving while the rest of the squad trained may prove to be a significant one.
