Cristiano Ronaldo hints at Portugal farewell after leaving Nations League camp

Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at a possible international farewell after leaving Portugal’s training camp before their Nations League match against Denmark.

The Portugal captain said he would reveal the reasons for his departure “at the right time”, while ending his statement by wishing the national team and his team-mates success.

Ronaldo posted the message on his official social media accounts after leaving Portugal’s base in Denmark, as his private plane prepared to return to Madrid.

“After the national team manager’s press conference, and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the national team camp,” Ronaldo said.

“In due course, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led me to leave the national team, to which I have always given myself.”

He concluded: “Now is the right time to wish Portugal and all my team-mates, without exception, the best of luck.”

The 41-year-old had missed Portugal’s training for a third successive day, adding to the tension around the squad just minutes after manager Jorge Jesus had said Ronaldo would take part in the session in Copenhagen.

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Ronaldo left Parken Stadium in the Danish capital in a car belonging to the Portuguese Football Federation while his team-mates were arriving on the pitch. Francisco Conceicao was the only exception.

Ronaldo’s departure came shortly after Jesus’s news conference before the Denmark fixture. The manager said Ronaldo would train but suggested he could remain out of the starting line-up.

“Yesterday, he did not refuse to train. Francisco Conceicao did not train because he was injured, and Joao Felix because we tried to ease his fatigue, while Cristiano worked in the gym,” Jesus said.

“Today he will train. It is the fourth day, so he will train.”

Jesus also made clear that he alone would decide whether Ronaldo played against Denmark, saying the forward would begin the match on the bench.

“I can promise whatever I want. I am the coach,” Jesus said. “I told the player he would not start the match and would be on the bench. If I need him for 30 minutes, he will play. If I do not need him, he will not play.

“No player will change my thinking – not him or anyone else in football. Not even any president. That will never happen.”

Ronaldo’s statement, published on 30 September 2026, did not provide further details about the conversation with the Portuguese Football Federation president or the reasons for his decision to leave the camp.