The five-time Champions League winner watched from the sidelines against Norway and didn’t participate in training which led to a row with Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo insisted talks with boss Jorge Jesus. However, yesterday, the Portuguese international stormed out of the national team’s camp in Copenhagen.
It’s the first time in 18 years that the former Real Madrid legend has been an unused sub in a competitive fixture wearing his country’s colours. Which ultimately was the case on Sunday evening against Norway.
The 41-year-old’s private plane landed at Copenhagen airport on Wednesday evening, scheduled to fly back to Madrid with Ronaldo aboard at around 11pm.
Ronaldo confessed the situation on social media. He said: “After the press conference of the national team coach, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team camp.
“In due time, I will tell the truth to all Portuguese people about the reasons that motivated my departure from the national team, to which I have always devoted myself.
“Now is the time to wish Portugal and all my team-mates good luck, without exception.”
Coach, Jesus, designed on bringing Ronaldo on with 30 minutes to play on Sunday. However, he settled on replacing starting striker Goncalo Ramos with Francisco Trincao in the 81st minute.
An immediate meeting was arranged between Ronaldo, Jesus and the Portuguese FA chief. But, the five-time Ballon d’Or champion was not happy with the finished result of their discussion.
Experienced Head Coach, Jesus, stood his ground on the reasoning behind Ronaldo being benched for the recent fixture. However, also declared that there was no trouble between himself and Ronaldo.
He said: “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.
“If everything goes according to plan, it will be Goncalo who plays [against Denmark].
“If I need him [Ronaldo], he’ll come on. If I don’t need him, he won’t.”
Is this the end of Ronaldo in Portuguese colours?
