COPENHAGEN: Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo walked out of the national team's camp after being told he would remain on the bench against Denmark for a second consecutive Nations League match. Ronaldo announced late on Wednesday that he had left the team, shortly after a press conference in which coach Jorge Jesus confirmed the five-time Ballon d'Or winner would be left out of his starting line-up for a second consecutive Nations League game. In his absence, Portugal turned on the style to beat Denmark 4-2.
The 41-year-old former Real Madrid forward had been due to train with his team-mates at the Parken Stadium on the eve of the game, but walked out following the announcement by Jesus. "Following the national team coach's press conference, and after having a conversation with the Portuguese Football Federation president, I decided to leave the national team's training camp," Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. He had already spent the entirety of Sunday's 2-1 Nations League win in Norway on the bench, having captained the side in the 1-0 home victory over Wales last Thursday.
Ronaldo appeared to indicate that the reasons behind Jesus's decision ran deeper, and hinted at a departure from the national team he has graced for more than two decades. "In due course, I will tell the truth to all the Portuguese people about my reasons for leaving the national team, to which I have always been dedicated," Ronaldo said. Spanish sports daily Marca said that Jesus and Portuguese federation president Pedro Proenca followed Ronaldo to Copenhagen airport in an attempt to persuade him to stay.
Jesus insisted earlier on Wednesday that there was no rift between him and Ronaldo, although the 72-year-old acknowledged that his captain was disappointed to remain on the bench. The Portuguese coach also said that he had told Ronaldo before the match that he might bring him on as a substitute. After the win, Jesus's press conference was dominated by talk of Ronaldo, while media outlets continued to analyze the fallout from the dramatic departure.