Cristiano Ronaldo is heading to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, tomorrow, Sunday, after leaving the Portuguese national team's training camp in Denmark following his recent crisis with coach Jorge Jesus. This move may reflect the Portuguese star's inclination to turn the page on international duty and return to his commitments with Al-Nassr, rather than entering into a quick settlement of the crisis that has shaken the atmosphere within the national team.
Ronaldo's return to Riyadh comes at a highly sensitive time, after he left Portugal's camp following Jesus's announcement that he would not start him in the match against Denmark. The player then confirmed that he had decided to leave after a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Proença, pledging to reveal the reasons for his decision at an appropriate time.
The crisis began after the Norway match, during which Ronaldo remained on the bench throughout the game despite participating in warm-ups, while Gonçalo Ramos scored the winning goal as Portugal won 2-1.
Tensions subsequently escalated between the player and Jesus, before the coach announced that Ronaldo would also not start against Denmark, affirming that he would not change his tactical decisions for any player.
According to the Portuguese newspaper "Record," Ronaldo's travel to Riyadh on his private jet, on the same day Portugal plays its match (against Norway) during the international break, carries implications beyond merely returning to Saudi Arabia. The player resuming his normal routine and heading to his club could mean ruling out any quick solution or urgent settlement of the crisis, allowing the issue to take its course in the coming period.
This follows failed attempts by Jesus and the president of the Portuguese Football Federation to persuade Ronaldo to stay. They headed to the airport after he left the camp, but the player boarded his private jet bound for Madrid.
His international future also remains in question, although no official announcement regarding his retirement from playing for Portugal has been made.
Meanwhile, the crisis does not appear to be fully resolved, as reports revealed Jesus's readiness to hold a meeting with Ronaldo in an attempt to end the dispute, while the captain of Portugal has yet to respond.
