“In time, I’ll tell the truth,” Ronaldo says as he leaves the Portugal national team
Cristiano Ronaldo
Abdullateef Fowewe
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced he is leaving the Portugal national team training camp in Copenhagen, amid reports of a rift with coach Jorge Jesus, just a day before a UEFA Nations League match against Denmark.
The 41-year-old captain shared a statement on social media confirming the decision.
“After the national team manager’s press conference, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team’s training camp.
“In time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that motivated me to leave the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself. Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and all my teammates, without exception,” Ronaldo wrote.
Ronaldo did not train with the squad on Wednesday.
He left Parken Stadium in a Portuguese Football Federation vehicle shortly after Jesus’s press conference, during which the coach insisted there were no issues and that Ronaldo would take part in the session.
Jesus had previously left Ronaldo as an unused substitute in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway on Sunday—the first time in 18 years the forward had been available but not used and indicated the player would not start against Denmark either, stressing that rules apply equally to everyone regardless of status.
The Portuguese Football Federation later confirmed Ronaldo’s departure from the camp in Copenhagen, stating that preparations for the matches against Denmark and Norway would continue with the remaining players.
Federation president Pedro Proença had travelled to the camp in an apparent effort to ease tensions.
Jorge Jesus, who previously coached Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, took charge of the national team and has emphasised equal treatment and squad management.
Ronaldo, Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player with over 230 appearances and 140-plus goals, remains a central figure and captain.
He won the European Championship in 2016 and two UEFA Nations League titles with the side.
Speculation continues about whether this marks a temporary exit from the current camp or a longer-term step away from international duty, with Ronaldo promising further clarification “in time.”
