Cristiano Ronaldo misses Portugal training again after Jorge Jesus comments

Cristiano Ronaldo has missed Portugal training for a third successive day, leaving the team camp in further turmoil just minutes after manager Jorge Jesus said the captain would take part in Wednesday’s session in Copenhagen.

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Ronaldo left Parken Stadium in a Portuguese Football Federation vehicle while his team-mates were beginning to arrive on the pitch. Francisco Conceicao was the only other player absent at that stage.

Record published video footage of Ronaldo leaving the stadium on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

Ronaldo’s departure came shortly after Jesus spoke at a news conference ahead of Portugal’s match against Denmark and said the 41-year-old would train, while also suggesting he might remain among the substitutes.

“Yesterday, he did not refuse to train. Francisco Conceicao did not train because he was injured, and Joao Felix did not train because we tried to manage his fatigue, while Cristiano did some work in the gym,” said Jesus.

“Today he will train. It is the fourth day, so he will train.”

Jesus also insisted that he alone would decide whether Ronaldo played against Denmark, confirming that Goncalo Ramos would start the match.

“I can promise whatever I want. I am the coach,” he said. “I told the player he will not start the match and will be on the bench. If I need him for 30 minutes, he will play. If I do not need him, he will not play.

“No player will change my mind – not him or anyone else in football. Not even a president. That will never happen.”

No official explanation for latest absence

Unlike Tuesday’s session in Malmo, Sweden, when Ronaldo appeared on the pitch and remained there for several minutes before training began, the Portugal captain did not go out for Wednesday’s session.

He later returned to the team’s accommodation in a Portuguese Football Federation car. The federation had previously said the gym at the Malmo stadium did not contain the specialist equipment required for Ronaldo’s individual training programme, which led to his return to the hotel.

The federation has not yet issued an official explanation for Ronaldo’s absence on Wednesday, despite Jesus confirming only minutes earlier that he would train.

Joao Felix was among those who returned to training before the Denmark match, while Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca watched from the stands. Jesus confirmed that Francisco Conceicao would miss the Nations League third-round fixture.

The dispute stems from the way Ronaldo’s involvement was handled against Norway. He remained on the bench throughout the match despite earlier comments from Jesus that he would play even if he was not selected in the starting XI.

After Portugal’s victory, Ronaldo went straight to the dressing room and did not join the other substitutes on the pitch during the following day’s training.

He did go to Elida Stadium the next day, entering the pitch alone before leaving after a short time. The federation said he returned to the hotel because the stadium gym lacked the equipment needed for his personal programme.

Pedro Proenca subsequently changed his plans, missing an Under-21 match to rejoin the senior squad in Denmark for an urgent meeting with Jesus and Ronaldo. The meeting took place on Wednesday morning at Portugal’s hotel in Malmo and was described as calm and friendly.

Jesus and Ronaldo had also held talks on Tuesday evening in an effort to address their differing views and ease the tension that followed the Norway match.