Ronaldo quits Portugal camp after Jorge Jesus says he won’t start against Denmark

Cristiano Ronaldo has walked out of Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen on the eve of tonight’s Nations League clash with Denmark, after head coach Jorge Jesus said the captain would not start.

The 41-year-old confirmed his exit in a statement on Wednesday night, saying he had made the decision after Jesus’s pre-match press conference and a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation.

He did not explain why. Instead, Ronaldo said he would tell the Portuguese public “the truth” about his departure in due course.

How it unravelled

The tension has been building since Sunday. Ronaldo sat on the bench for the full 90 minutes as Portugal beat Norway 2-1 in Oslo, a result that kept Jesus’s side top of their Nations League group with a perfect six points.

According to Sky Sports, the Al Nassr forward had not trained with the rest of the squad since that game, working separately in the gym. Reports in Spain, led by Marca, claimed he flew to Madrid by private jet shortly before Portugal’s final session at Parken on Wednesday evening.

When Jesus confirmed Ronaldo would not be in his starting line-up against Denmark, the situation came to a head within hours.

Jesus: “I make the decisions”

The Portugal coach played down talk of a rift, insisting there was no problem between the pair and that he had planned to use Ronaldo before circumstances changed.

He was also clear about where authority lies. Jesus told reporters he is the one who makes the decisions and that everybody knows that, and asked for the focus to stay on Denmark rather than his captain.

He is the second big name to leave an international camp this autumn, after Kylian Mbappé left France with a knee injury, although Ronaldo’s exit has nothing to do with fitness.

Neither the Portuguese Football Federation nor Ronaldo’s camp has said whether the player’s international career is over, or whether he could return for future squads.

Also on DSN: Hojlund does Ronaldo celebration and brushes past Jesus as Portugal win 4-2 in Denmark.

Our sister site DGBN has also covered Lionel Messi’s retirement from international football.

What it means tonight

On the pitch, Portugal look well equipped to cope. João Félix has scored in both Nations League games so far and Gonçalo Ramos is expected to lead the line in Copenhagen, with Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and João Neves behind him.

Denmark, three points behind in third according to the official UEFA Nations League standings, beat Portugal 1-0 at Parken the last time the sides met there in March 2025. Kick-off is 7.45pm UK time. Read our full Denmark v Portugal preview.

Off it, the bigger question is what Ronaldo says next. The most-capped men’s international in history has rarely been a man to stay quiet for long.