By Staff Reporter
Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen ahead of Thursday’s Nations League clash with Denmark, amid reports of growing tensions with head coach Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo confirmed his departure on Wednesday, saying he made the decision after Jesus’ press conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença.
“Following the national team manager’s press conference, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team’s training camp,” Ronaldo said in a statement posted on Instagram.
The 41-year-old forward added that he would reveal the reasons behind his departure to Portuguese supporters “in due course”.
Ronaldo did not feature in Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway on Sunday after Jesus reportedly told him he would come on as a substitute but ultimately left him on the bench.
He subsequently trained in the gym rather than with the rest of the squad on Monday and Tuesday, despite not being injured.
Jesus had earlier denied reports that Ronaldo had refused to train, insisting there was no dispute between the pair.
“He didn’t refuse. He’s going to train today,” Jesus told reporters before Wednesday’s training session.
However, Ronaldo did not join the squad, with Portuguese newspaper A Bola reporting that he left Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium in a vehicle belonging to the football federation.
The Portugal squad later arrived at their hotel without Ronaldo or Jesus, with reports continuing to circulate about the circumstances surrounding the situation.
Ronaldo is Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer with 146 goals and the country’s most-capped player with 234 appearances.
His departure means he will miss Thursday’s Nations League encounter against Denmark.
