Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal's national team camp, and the fallout is now the biggest sports story in the country. The 41-year-old captain walked out on Wednesday, just hours after coach Jorge Jesus confirmed he would not start against Denmark in the Nations League.
Portugal went ahead without him and beat Denmark 4-2 in Copenhagen on Thursday. But the result did little to quiet the bigger question: is this how Ronaldo's international career ends?
Why Did Ronaldo Leave Portugal's Camp?
The short answer is a bench dispute that got out of hand. Jesus says he and Ronaldo agreed that the forward would not start against Norway last Sunday but would come on during the game. Plans changed in Oslo, and Ronaldo never left the bench. Jesus says it was a tactical call.
Ronaldo reportedly took it as a humiliation. He was also seen leaving the field without joining his teammates to salute the fans after the 2-1 win. It was the first time since November 2024 that he did not play for Portugal while healthy and eligible.
Things boiled over at Jesus's press conference on Wednesday. The coach said he would start Gonçalo Ramos again and made it clear that no player, however big, tells him how to run the team. Later that night, Ronaldo posted on Instagram that after the coach's press conference, and a talk with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, he had decided to leave the national team setup.
Ronaldo has promised to tell his side of the story, but he has not done so yet. It is still unclear whether he has walked away for good or just for now.
What Jorge Jesus Has Said
Jesus coached Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, and he said back in July that Ronaldo would "never be a problem" for him or the national team. That promise has not aged well.
This week he took a firm line. He admitted that he told Ronaldo he would likely play in Norway, then changed his mind. He did not apologize for that. He did say a player of Ronaldo's stature deserves a different kind of attention from coaches, and that any player would be upset in that situation. He has also said he will not hide from the issue and will explain more after the Denmark match.
Portugal Win Without Ronaldo
On the pitch, Portugal handled things well. The Nations League holders beat Wales 1-0 in the opener, with Ronaldo playing 67 minutes. They won 2-1 in Norway, where Ramos scored the winner. Then came the 4-2 win over Denmark.
Those results give Jesus a strong argument that his plan works. They also feed an uncomfortable debate in Portugal about life after Ronaldo. The captain has also said this season will probably be his last in football.
What Happens Next for Ronaldo
Ronaldo could face discipline from the Portuguese football federation for breaching its code. Reports in Portugal say a suspension of one to six months and a fine are possible. Nothing has been confirmed.
Public opinion is split. Many fans back him loudly online, while a large part of the Portuguese press and public feels he has turned his back on the team. Some media outlets where Ronaldo is a shareholder have pointed their criticism at Jesus instead.
Whatever happens, his numbers are historic: 234 caps and 146 goals for Portugal over 23 years, both national records. He also became one of only two men to play at six World Cups.
Who Is Next to Wear the No. 7 Shirt?
Here is the honest answer: nobody has been named. The federation has not announced a successor to the shirt, and Ronaldo has not officially retired from international football.
Portugal have shown they can field it without him before. In March 2024, winger Bruma wore No. 7 against Sweden, the first time anyone other than Ronaldo had done so since 2007. That was a one-off while Ronaldo rested.
Fans are now debating who could inherit it long term. Ramos is the striker Jesus is backing right now. Midfielders Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and João Neves form the heart of a talented squad. Any successor would carry huge expectations, and it may be a long time before anyone is comfortable wearing it in his place.
Reporting for this story drew on coverage from The Irish Times, CBC Sports, Channels Television and Al Jazeera.
