RONALDO LEAVES PORTUGAL CAMP, SISTER BLASTS MEDIA AND FANS — WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR

By ‘Sefiu Ajape 

Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen amid growing controversy over his role under new head coach Jorge Jesus, with his sister, Elma Aveiro, subsequently launching a fierce defence of the 41-year-old forward.

Ronaldo’s sudden departure came just days after he was left on the bench throughout Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway and shortly after Jesus addressed questions surrounding the captain’s situation.

The development has also revived questions about Ronaldo’s international future, although the Portugal captain has not announced his retirement.

RONALDO HAD ALREADY CONSIDERED INTERNATIONAL RETIREMENT

Following Portugal’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup by Spain, Ronaldo confirmed that the tournament had been his last World Cup but stopped short of deciding whether he would continue playing for the national team.

He said he would not make a “rash” decision about his international future.

Ronaldo subsequently remained available for Portugal and was included in Jesus’ squad for the September Nations League fixtures. Jesus had also made clear after taking over as Portugal coach that he would continue selecting Ronaldo as long as he remained fit and met his requirements.

RONALDO STARTED AGAINST WALES BUT WAS BENCHED AGAINST NORWAY

Ronaldo started Portugal’s opening Nations League match of the international window against Wales but was left on the bench for the subsequent 2-1 victory over Norway.

Jesus explained that he had initially considered using Ronaldo from the bench against Norway. Ronaldo warmed up during the match but was ultimately not introduced.

Jesus later acknowledged that the Portugal captain was unhappy about remaining on the bench, but insisted the matter was not a major issue.

Ronaldo subsequently carried out individual gym work rather than training fully with the squad. Jesus rejected suggestions that the forward had refused to train, explaining that the work was related to mobility and strengthening.

JESUS CONFIRMS RONALDO WOULD NOT START AGAINST DENMARK

Ahead of Portugal’s Nations League meeting with Denmark, Jesus confirmed that Ronaldo would not start the match.

The coach insisted that he was responsible for making the team’s tactical decisions and denied that there was a serious conflict between himself and Ronaldo.

Jesus said Ronaldo understood that the coach had the authority to decide whether he played, while also acknowledging that the veteran forward had been disappointed by the decision to leave him on the bench against Norway.

THEN RONALDO LEFT THE CAMP

Ronaldo was expected to train with his teammates in Copenhagen, but instead left the training camp shortly after Jesus’ press conference.

The Portugal captain subsequently confirmed the decision himself in a social media statement.

“Following the national team manager’s press conference, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the national team’s training camp,” Ronaldo wrote.

He added that he would eventually explain his reasons for leaving.

“In due course, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons behind my departure from the national team, to which I have always been dedicated.”

Ronaldo then wished Portugal and his teammates well.

The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed his departure and said the rest of the squad would continue preparations for the upcoming fixtures.

RONALDO’S SISTER BLASTS PORTUGUESE MEDIA AND FANS

The situation took another turn when Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, publicly defended him.

In a social media post, Aveiro said Ronaldo deserved more respect, while criticising the structure of the national team and the Portuguese media.

“CR7 deserved more respect. The national team deserved more structure. Portuguese journalism deserved more competence and less speculation,” she wrote.

She then criticised the Portuguese public, writing that they were “envious, scornful, and ignorant” and that they “deserve to return to the mediocrity” of Portuguese football before Ronaldo emerged.

She ended the message by telling her brother: “Thank you for everything, CR7. You deserved more.”

Aveiro captioned the post: “Everything has been said.”

WHAT WE KNOW — AND WHAT WE DON’T

What is confirmed is that Ronaldo left Portugal’s camp after Jesus’ press conference and a conversation with FPF president Pedro Proença.

Ronaldo himself has said he will eventually reveal the reasons behind his decision.

What remains unclear is exactly what was discussed between Ronaldo, Jesus and Proença and whether Ronaldo’s departure represents a temporary decision or the beginning of the end of his international career.

For now, Ronaldo has not announced his retirement from Portugal.

The 41-year-old remains Portugal’s record goalscorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 appearances for the national team.

His next explanation could therefore provide the missing details behind one of the most unexpected developments of Portugal’s current Nations League campaign.