Cristiano Ronaldo’s private jet becomes world’s most tracked flight after Portugal departure

Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to leave Portugal’s camp in Denmark has become the focus of widespread attention after his private jet was reported to be the most followed flight in the world.

The Al-Nassr forward departed Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on Wednesday in a car belonging to the Portuguese Football Federation. His team-mates had already begun making their way on to the pitch, with the exception of Francisco Conceicao, when Ronaldo left the venue.

His departure came shortly after Portugal manager Jorge Jesus addressed the situation at a news conference. Jesus said Ronaldo would not start the match against Denmark and made clear that he would not change his tactical decisions for any individual player.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Ronaldo’s private aircraft had become the most searched and tracked flight on Flight Radar 24. The Bombardier Global Express XRS reportedly took off from Madrid after 19:30 Spain time, equivalent to 20:30 in Cairo and Mecca.

“More than 7,500 people tracked the GPS of Ronaldo’s Bombardier Global Express XRS aircraft minute by minute,” Marca reported.

Ronaldo’s plans were understood to have been clear after he left Parken without taking part in training ahead of the Nations League fixture between Denmark and Portugal. He was expected to travel to Madrid on his private aircraft.

The plane was scheduled to land in the Danish capital at 22:20 Spain time before beginning its return journey to Madrid at about 23:15. Ronaldo was expected to arrive back in Spain after 02:00, or 03:00 Cairo and Mecca time.

The developments followed the worsening situation around Ronaldo’s role in the Portugal team, after Jesus confirmed he would not be included in the starting line-up for the Denmark match.