Ronaldo could face six month ban after storming out of Portugal camp
Cristiano Ronaldo could face a suspension of up to six months from the Portuguese Football Federation after walking out of the national team camp, following his frustration at being left as an unused substitute during Portugal's 2-1 win over Norway.
Ronaldo went straight to the dressing room without greeting fans or teammates after the match, having warmed up but not been brought on, the first time in 18 years he had been named in a Portugal squad without featuring.
He later left Copenhagen for Madrid by private jet after head coach Jorge Jesus held a press conference stressing his full authority over selection decisions, a move Spanish outlet Marca reported could now carry disciplinary consequences under federation rules.
Article 160 of the federation's disciplinary code states that any player who leaves a camp, match or related activity without justification faces an automatic suspension of between one and six months, alongside a fine of between 500 and 1,000 euros.
Given Ronaldo's reported daily salary of around 488,000 pounds, any financial penalty would likely prove negligible, though a lengthy ban could effectively end his involvement with Portugal altogether depending on how the federation ultimately rules.
Jesus played down talk of a serious rift when pressed afterwards. "There was no incident whatsoever. Any player, and I was a player myself, when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don't get on, no one is happy about that," he said.
The coach defended his decision to again select Goncalo Ramos ahead of Ronaldo for the upcoming match against Denmark. "If I need him, he'll come on. If I don't need him, he won't," he said, rejecting suggestions his authority was being undermined.
Ronaldo confirmed his departure in a social media statement, promising further explanation in time. "I decided to leave the national team camp. In due course, I will tell all Portuguese the truth about the reasons that led me to leave the national team," he wrote.
He added a message of support for his teammates despite the circumstances of his exit. "Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception," he said, having previously dedicated himself fully to the national side.
The federation confirmed his departure in a brief statement but offered no further detail, saying preparations for matches against Denmark and Norway would continue as planned with the remaining 24 players in the squad.
At 41, and having previously admitted considering international retirement after Portugal's World Cup exit to Spain, Ronaldo could yet choose to step away from the national team entirely rather than face a lengthy suspension.