Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal camp amid growing tension with Jorge Jesus

Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s training camp unexpectedly after tensions increased between the captain and head coach Jorge Jesus.

The Al Nassr forward departed on Wednesday after Jesus said at a news conference that he was the sole decision-maker for the national team and that neither Ronaldo nor anyone else could change his views.

Ronaldo’s departure came a day after he was seen walking on to the pitch at Malmo’s stadium carrying a cup of coffee. He took a few steps across the field before leaving, an image that could prove to be his final appearance with Portugal if he decides to retire from international football.

The 30 September 2026 footage, shared by ESPN Deportes, showed Ronaldo entering the stadium before one of Portugal’s training sessions. Its significance increased after the forward subsequently left the national team camp.

Ronaldo did not take part in Tuesday’s group training session. Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported that he instead completed an individual workout in the gym.

The situation escalated after Jesus addressed claims that Ronaldo was angry at being left out of Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway on Sunday in the second round of the UEFA Nations League.

Ronaldo was not involved in the match, including as a substitute, and he also did not train with his team-mates on either Monday or Tuesday. Before the game, Jesus had said he planned to use Ronaldo but suggested it was unlikely that he would start.

At the final whistle in Oslo, Ronaldo went straight from the substitutes’ bench to the tunnel rather than joining his Portugal team-mates in greeting the travelling supporters.

Jesus said on Wednesday that Ronaldo had not refused to train and denied that there was a problem between them. However, he also stressed that he alone was responsible for the team’s decisions.

In response to the manager’s comments, Ronaldo announced that he was leaving the Portugal camp. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward said he would reveal “at the right time” the reasons behind his decision to leave the national team.

He also wished his team-mates success.

The incident has cast further doubt over Ronaldo’s international future, with the 30 September sighting at Malmo now carrying added importance. The Portugal captain’s absence from training, his exclusion from the Norway victory and his immediate departure after Jesus’s remarks have all contributed to uncertainty over whether he will represent his country again.