Ronaldo Announces Departure from Portuguese National Team Camp Following Jesus' Statements

The veteran coach had announced that Ronaldo, who spent the entire Sunday match against Norway on the bench, would not start the Denmark match on Thursday in the UEFA Nations League.

Ronaldo wrote on his Instagram account: "Following the press conference of the national team coach, and after a conversation I had with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the national team camp."

He added: "In due time, I will tell the truth to all the Portuguese people about the reasons for my departure from the national team to which I have always dedicated myself."

He continued: "Now it is time to wish Portugal and all my teammates, without exception, the best of luck."

Jesus had previously confirmed that there was no disagreement between him and Ronaldo, but he admitted that the team captain was disappointed by being on the bench in Portugal's victory over Norway in the UEFA Nations League.

-"No disagreement"-

After the 2-1 victory in Oslo, Ronaldo went directly to the locker room without joining his teammates in greeting the Portuguese fans in the stands.

Jesus told journalists: "There was absolutely no disagreement."

The Portuguese coach added on Wednesday: "Any player, and I was a player too... when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don't play... no one is happy about that."

The Portuguese coach explained that he had informed Ronaldo before the match that he would not be in the starting lineup, but he might play him in the last minutes of the game.

Jesus said: "After that, as a coach, I decided not to include him. There is no reason to make a fuss about it."

The former coach of Benfica and Al-Nassr also clarified that Ronaldo did not refuse to train on Tuesday, contrary to what some Portuguese media reported, but he had to do individual exercises related to "movement" and physical "strengthening."

Jesus had said that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner would train normally on Wednesday, but Ronaldo, despite arriving at the stadium on the team bus, did not join his teammates on the field in Copenhagen.

Portuguese media published a video showing Ronaldo leaving Parken Stadium accompanied by two members of the coaching staff, shortly after Jesus' press conference.

They also reported that Ronaldo's private plane was heading to Copenhagen.

Before Ronaldo posted his message on social media, the Portuguese Football Federation issued a brief statement confirming only that the former Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus player did not participate in training.

Later, the Portuguese Federation issued a statement confirming the player's departure from the national team camp.

The federation said: "Preparations for the matches against Denmark and Norway are continuing according to the planned schedule, with the participation of the remaining 24 players on the national team list."

It added: "All members of the national team mission are fully focused on the upcoming national team commitments and on achieving the set goals."

Jesus had previously announced that he intended to start AC Milan striker Gonçalo Ramos against Denmark again, after he scored the winning goal against the Norwegians.

He said: "If everything goes according to plan, Gonçalo will play," before adding about Ronaldo: "If I need him, I will play him. If I don't need him, he won't play."

The 41-year-old Ronaldo had announced this summer that the current season would likely be the last of his football career.

Ronaldo is the all-time top scorer for the Portuguese national team and holds the record for the most appearances, with 146 goals in 234 international matches.