Sports · updated 2h ago · 2 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo Leaves Portugal Training Camp After Jorge Jesus Denies Rift
Ronaldo left Portugal's training camp ahead of Denmark Nations League match amid dispute rumors. Jorge Jesus denied a rift; Ronaldo posted he would explain the reasons later.
Whether Ronaldo trained/was ready after the Norway benching.
5 of 6 outlets skipped it: ronaldo took a private jet to Madrid.
16outlets compared
Same story, two versions
tap a side to read it in full
BBC
“Former Benfica manager Jesus also dismissed suggestions Ronaldo had refused to train on Tuesday”Read the original ↗
Sky Sports
“Ronaldo has not participated in Portugal training since Sunday's Norway win”Read the original ↗
One side implies a training refusal, the other says he did individual work.
Ronaldo exits camp
Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen ahead of Thursday’s Nations League match against Denmark after head coach Jorge Jesus said there was no rift with the captain. Ronaldo confirmed his departure via Instagram, writing, “Following the national team manager’s press conference, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team’s training camp,” and he added that he would tell Portuguese fans “the truth about the reasons behind my departure” in due course.
Jesus had earlier said Ronaldo, who spent the entire match on the bench against Norway on Sunday, would not start Thursday’s Nations League clash away to Denmark either, and he said, “If everything goes according to plan, it will be Goncalo who plays.” Portugal’s squad later arrived at their hotel without Ronaldo and without Jesus, and the whereabouts of both remained unknown as the Nations League window continued.
Jesus denies rift
Jorge Jesus told media before Portugal’s Nations League match against Denmark that, “There was no incident whatsoever,” and he said any player would be unhappy if they warmed up and then did not get on. Jesus also insisted that he had told Ronaldo before the Norway match that he would not be starting, and he said, “Afterwards, as coach, I decided not to bring him on.”
Ronaldo’s departure followed Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway in Olso on Sunday, where he did not feature and did not join the team-mates in going over to the visiting fans at the final whistle. Ronaldo later posted again to announce his departure, and he wrote, “In time, I will tell all the Portuguese the truth about the reasons that motivated me to leave.”
What comes next
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed Ronaldo’s departure and said, “Preparation for the two matches against Denmark and Norway continue as planned with the 24 remaining squad members,” while adding that “The entire delegation remains totally focussed on the national team's next fixtures.” Ronaldo’s exit left Portugal facing Denmark without its captain, and the BBC said he was included in Jesus' 25-man squad for the current international break but did not feature in the 2-1 win over Norway in Olso.B
Jesus said the decision was about managing his physical load and that he had told Ronaldo he would not play in either the Norway or Denmark match, while he also argued that warming up for “20 or 30 minutes” and then not coming on leaves a player upset. Ronaldo’s message left the reasons for his departure for later, and he wrote, “Now is the time to wish Portugal and all my teammates good luck,” as Portugal prepared for the next Nations League fixtures.