A crisis erupted within the Portugal national team camp during the international break, following Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from the recent match against Norway. The Saudi Al-Nassr striker did not participate in the game.
The star, nicknamed "the Madeira Rocket," did not play in the Portugal vs. Norway match, which ended with a 2-1 victory for Portugal last Sunday evening, in the second round of the UEFA Nations League.
Cristiano Ronaldo's crisis that could lead to his retirement
Jorge Jesus' statements
Jorge Jesus, the head coach of the Portugal national team, revealed details of his dispute with team captain Cristiano Ronaldo, ahead of the match against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.
Speaking at the press conference before the Portugal vs. Denmark match, Jorge Jesus said: "I don't have just one player; I have 23 players. You can ask any questions about any player. As for Ronaldo, I will allow only two questions about him. Ronaldo is not the main reason I am here; the main reason is the Denmark match."
He added: "I had agreed with Ronaldo that he would not play in the first two matches. However, I might have needed him even in the final minutes of those games, but the events of the Norway match told me otherwise, and I did not use him. That is the key point."
He continued: "The coach must make decisions, and always decide based on what serves the team's interests. I always respect the players. A player's status does not grant them special privileges; rather, it relates to respecting their professional careers, as I do with everyone."
Cristiano Ronaldo's response
Cristiano Ronaldo announced his departure from the Portugal national team camp following Coach Jorge Jesus' press conference and after a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, stating that he would reveal the true reasons behind his decision at an appropriate time.
Ronaldo said in a statement on his official Facebook page: "Following 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 training camp."
He added: "In due course, I will reveal to the Portuguese people the truth behind the reasons for my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself."
The Portugal captain continued: "It is now time for me to wish good luck to Portugal and all my teammates, without exception."
He completed: "With Cristiano, and with others I have worked with throughout my career, I always consider what I want to achieve and the plan I will set with the player, and then I make the decision."
Statement by the Portuguese Federation
The Portuguese Football Federation issued a statement regarding the departure of the national team captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, from the camp currently held in Denmark.
The federation's statement read: "The Portuguese Football Federation announces that Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo has left the national team camp currently taking place in Copenhagen."
The statement continued: "Preparations for the upcoming matches against Denmark and Norway will proceed according to the scheduled program, with the remaining 24 players in the squad. The latter match will be played at the Dragão Stadium."
It concluded: "All members of the national team remain fully focused on the upcoming commitments and achieving the established objectives."
