Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is upset after not getting playing time against Norway in the Nations League.
Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal’s national team gathering on September 30 in Copenhagen to fly privately to Madrid. The news marks a turning point for the Portuguese’s future in the national team.
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The decision by Portugal’s captain came after it was confirmed that he would not start in the UEFA Nations League matches against Norway and Denmark – a move publicly announced by national team boss Jorge Jesus.
Conflict between Jorge Jesus and Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s dressing room
Tensions in the Portugal squad escalated after the 1-2 win in Oslo against Norway, where the striker did not play a single minute after starting the game on the bench. Goals from João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos supported the coach’s tactical choices, and the striker went straight to the dressing room at the end of the game without taking part in the subsequent session with the substitutes.
Portugal’s coach confirmed his position at a press conference by stating that he will not change his technical decisions based on individual hierarchies, guaranteeing the player a secondary role of 30 minutes according to the needs of the matches.
The Portuguese Football Federation intervenes in Copenhagen
Before leaving the Danish capital, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Proença, hurriedly traveled to Copenhagen to hold a meeting with the striker and coach. Despite the attempt at institutional mediation, the striker left Parken Stadion in an official federation vehicle to go to the airport.
The player is leaving the international break without having accumulated minutes in the current UEFA Nations League window, and his continuation in the national team is now uncertain.
Read on F7: Now we understand why Ronaldo got so cranky in Oslo
Attack projection in Jorge Jesus’ system
Portugal’s coaching staff will restructure the offensive line with Gonçalo Ramos and João Félix as the leading references for the upcoming match against Denmark this weekend. The Portuguese federation will not impose immediate disciplinary sanctions, but awaits a reassessment at the end of the international break.
The federation’s board will analyze the relationship between the coach and the striker before announcing the list of call-ups for the October 2026 international window.
The Portugal squad will complete their afternoon training in Copenhagen before facing the Danish team in the UEFA Nations League.
The Portuguese Football Federation will convene a physical meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo’s representatives in Lisbon during the first week of October 2026 to define the striker’s future in the national team.
