Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal camp and says he will reveal reasons ‘in due time’

Cristiano Ronaldo has left the Portugal squad before their Nations League match against Denmark, saying he will explain the reasons for his decision “in due time”.

The 41-year-old captain announced his departure in a statement on social media after leaving the team’s accommodation in Denmark. His private aircraft was preparing to return to Madrid.

“Following the national team manager’s press conference, and after a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I made the decision to leave the national team camp,” Ronaldo said.

“In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led me to leave the national team, to which I have always devoted myself.”

He ended the message by adding: “Now is the right time to wish Portugal and all my team-mates, without exception, the best of luck.”

The wording of the statement appeared to suggest a possible farewell, although Ronaldo did not explicitly announce his retirement from international football.

Ronaldo misses third successive training session

Ronaldo’s departure came after he missed Portugal training for a third consecutive day, increasing the tension around the squad before Wednesday’s fixture in Copenhagen.

His absence followed comments from manager Jorge Jesus, who had said only minutes earlier that the forward would take part in the scheduled session.

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 not present at that stage.

Jesus said Ronaldo had not refused to train on the previous day, explaining that Francisco Conceicao had been absent because of injury and Joao Felix had been rested because the coaching staff wanted to manage his fatigue. Ronaldo, he said, had worked in the gym.

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

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

The manager also confirmed that Ronaldo would not start against Denmark, but said he could still be used from the substitutes’ bench.

“I can promise whatever I want. I am the coach,” Jesus said. “I told the player he would not start the match and would 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 thinking – not him or anyone else in football. Not even a president. That will never happen.”