Portugal’s preparations for Thursday’s Nations League meeting with Denmark have carried an unexpected detour through Malmö, where Cristiano Ronaldo left the squad’s session at Eleda Stadion to complete individual work back at the team hotel.
The 41-year-old had travelled with the Portugal party to southern Sweden on Tuesday as Jorge Jesus readied his side for the trip across to Copenhagen. Ronaldo spoke with the coach before departing the stadium, with the Portuguese Football Federation explaining that the venue did not have the equipment required for his tailored training programme.
His early exit prompted immediate discussion around the camp, but Ronaldo later posted an image of himself in Portugal training gear, accompanied by a heart beside the national flag. Portugal are due to face Denmark in Copenhagen on Thursday in the 2026/27 Nations League, with kick-off scheduled for 15:45 Brasília time.
The episode follows reports that Ronaldo was unhappy after remaining unused throughout Sunday’s victory over Norway, despite an earlier understanding with Jesus that he would be involved. The coach has described the forward as a “symbol of Portugal”, but the situation has drawn the attention of federation president Pedro Proença.
Proença cancelled plans to attend Portugal Under-21s’ European Championship qualifying match against Gibraltar on Wednesday and instead travelled to Copenhagen. His purpose is to ensure that no disagreement develops between Jesus and Ronaldo before the Denmark match.
Journalists had been directed to a designated area at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport on Tuesday in anticipation of comments from the federation chief. Proença left through another exit, avoiding the waiting media as Portugal’s focus turned towards Copenhagen.
