In Denmark, Portugal’s camp has been shaken by Cristiano Ronaldo’s early departure before the closing matches of the international window. The 41-year-old forward left after being unused in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Norway, despite spending a significant part of the second half warming up.
The news from the club
Jorge Jesus did not call Ronaldo from the bench against Norway, and tension around the decision grew over the following days. Ronaldo has now departed the Portugal squad with two fixtures still to play.
The Madeira-born captain arranged for his private aircraft to collect him in Denmark and take him to Madrid, where he intends to rest at home. Jorge Jesus and Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Poença travelled to the airport in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade him to remain with the group.
Ronaldo is in the final stretch of a career that has continued in Saudi Arabia, but his position with the national side remains a national subject in Portugal. The debate has again centred on whether he can still make a decisive contribution to the Seleção.
Some in the Portuguese press have placed responsibility on Ronaldo, recalling his previous view that he would be the first to step away if he felt unable to offer the team enough. Others have criticised Jesus and the federation leadership, arguing that the coach has turned the situation into a contest over authority within the squad.
A further report has suggested that Ronaldo may not wear Portugal colours again. There has been no confirmation that his departure marks an international retirement, but such an ending would be far from the farewell either player or country would have envisaged.
The remaining Portugal schedule
Portugal face Denmark on Thursday without Ronaldo. On Sunday, they meet Norway again, this time on home soil in Portugal.
