Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s national team camp ahead of the country’s next match, following tensions over his reduced role under new manager Jorge Jesus.
The 41-year-old forward started Portugal’s 1-0 win over Wales but remained on the bench throughout their 2-1 victory over Norway.
Ronaldo reportedly spent about 30 minutes warming up during the match but was not introduced. He walked straight to the dressing room after the final whistle.
Tensions appeared to grow after Jesus confirmed that Gonçalo Ramos would start Portugal’s next match against Denmark, leaving Ronaldo as a substitute option.
Jesus said Ronaldo would only be introduced if he was needed during the game, ending his previous status as an automatic starter.
“There was no incident whatsoever. Any player, and I was a player myself, when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don’t get on, no-one is happy about that. Afterwards, as coach, I decided not to bring him on. It’s nothing to make a fuss about,” Jesus told reporters.
He added: “If I need (Ronaldo), he’ll come on. If I don’t need him, he won’t.”
Ronaldo later met with Portuguese football officials before deciding to leave the training camp ahead of the Denmark match.
The Al Nassr forward confirmed his departure in a post on Instagram, saying he would later reveal the reasons behind his decision.
“After the press conference of the national team and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team training camp. In time, I will tell all the Portuguese the truth about the reasons that motivated me to leave,” Ronaldo wrote.
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed that the team would continue preparations with its remaining 24 players.