Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal camp after Jorge Jesus admits tensions

Cristiano Ronaldo’s international future is uncertain after he left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen on Wednesday, shortly after manager Jorge Jesus acknowledged tension between the pair.

The 41-year-old forward departed the day before Portugal’s Nations League match against Denmark. He said on Instagram that he made the decision after Jesus’s news conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proenca.

Ronaldo said he would explain his reasons “in due course”.

“Following the national team manager’s press conference, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team’s training camp,” he wrote.

“In due course, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons behind my departure from the national team, to which I have always been fully committed.

“Now is the time to wish Portugal and all my teammates, without exception, the best of luck.”

The FPF confirmed Ronaldo had left but said preparations for Saturday’s match in Denmark and Sunday’s home fixture against Norway would continue with the remaining 24 players.

“The entire squad remains fully focused on the national team’s upcoming fixtures and on achieving the objectives set,” the federation said.

Portugal’s squad later arrived at their hotel without Ronaldo or Jesus. Reuters reported that Ronaldo’s private jet left Madrid airport at 7.49pm Spanish time for Copenhagen and was scheduled to return to the capital at 11.30pm local time.

Several Portuguese media outlets said Ronaldo left Parken Stadium minutes after Jesus had completed his news conference. A Bola published video that appeared to show the forward departing in an FPF vehicle after Jesus had told reporters he would train with the squad.

Portugal’s training session began after a short delay, with Ronaldo absent.

Jesus had rejected suggestions that Ronaldo refused to train and urged reporters not to create a controversy.

“He didn’t refuse. He’s going to train today,” Jesus said before the session.

“It’s the fourth day, so he’s going to train. And he didn’t refuse to train. It’s impossible. Do you believe that? Not Cris.”

The manager said there had been no incident, although he confirmed he had spoken with Ronaldo.

“They forced me to talk to Cris about an issue that didn’t exist. There was nothing to talk about,” he said.

“He said, ‘I’m here for you to decide. If you want me to play, I’ll play. If you want me to go to the stands, I’ll go’.”

Ronaldo was left out of Portugal’s 2-1 away win over Norway on Sunday after Jesus initially told him he would come on as a substitute, then chose not to use him. Ronaldo trained in the gym rather than with the squad on Monday and Tuesday, despite not being injured.

“Ronaldo was angry with me, but as far as I’m concerned, that’s water under the bridge,” Jesus said.

The dispute has raised questions over whether Ronaldo’s record-breaking international career is approaching its end and whether Jesus is facing an early authority problem only two matches into his tenure.

Jesus replaced Roberto Martinez after Portugal’s disappointing World Cup campaign.

Ronaldo is Portugal’s record goalscorer, with 146 goals, and has made a national-record 234 appearances. Last week, he said the media had been trying to “kill” him for years and that he could leave “today” if the manager did not want him in the squad.