The Portuguese channel SIC Notícias reported that Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro attempted to resolve the Cristiano Ronaldo crisis.
Ronaldo left the national team camp in Denmark on Wednesday, heading to Madrid following statements made by national team coach Jorge Jesus at the press conference.
The report revealed that Montenegro spoke by phone on Wednesday with Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, and Jorge Jesus, the national team coach, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo, in an attempt to resolve the crisis.
According to the report, Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, received a call from the Prime Minister, who asked to speak with Jorge Jesus to learn the details of the crisis.
The report added that Luís Montenegro also spoke with Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, it appears that the Prime Minister's attempts were unsuccessful, as Ronaldo has not yet returned to the Portugal camp.
Marca newspaper revealed the behind-the-scenes details of the decision by Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of the Portuguese national team, to leave the camp of the European Brazil squad.
The report clarified that Cristiano Ronaldo never requested to participate in all matches for the Portuguese national team.
The agreement stipulated his participation in two out of four matches during this international break period, and he accepted this without any objection, according to the report.
The problem lay in Jorge Jesus's statement that he would play in the next two matches, followed by his subsequent reversal of that decision.
Cristiano felt he had been disrespected by the Portuguese Federation, which had asked him not to retire and promised him full respectful treatment until 2027.
Furthermore, the Portuguese newspaper O Jogo revealed that the player decided not to return to represent the Portuguese national team again, preferring to retire internationally.
Cristiano Ronaldo has played 234 matches for the Portuguese national team, scoring 146 goals and providing 45 assists.
He won the UEFA European Championship once and the UEFA Nations League twice with the Portuguese national team.
Cristiano Ronaldo said via his official accounts on social media platforms: "After the national team coach's press conference, and after a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the national team camp."
He continued, "In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the reasons that led me to leave the national team, for which I have always dedicated myself."
He concluded, "Now is the time to wish Portugal and all my teammates success, without exception."
As the controversy surrounding Ronaldo's absence escalated, Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, decided to change his plans and join the senior national team camp, having abandoned attending the Portugal U21 match, and returned to Denmark to hold an urgent meeting with Jesus and Ronaldo.
The meeting was held on Wednesday morning at the hotel where the Portuguese national team was staying in Malmö, and was described as taking place in calm and friendly atmospheres.
However, Ronaldo's absence from Wednesday's training opened a new chapter in the crisis, especially since it came minutes after Jesus confirmed the player's participation in training.
The Portuguese national team is preparing to face Denmark on Thursday as part of the third round of Group 4 matches in the UEFA Nations League.
The Portuguese national team tops Group 4 with 6 points, a group that includes Denmark, Norway, and Wales.
Ronaldo participated against Wales in the first round in the match that ended with Portugal winning 1-0.
He missed the match against Norway in the second round of the group stage, which ended with Portugal winning 2-1.
