Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) following a disciplinary process triggered by his departure from the national team camp last month. The 41-year-old striker walked out of the squad’s base in Copenhagen ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Denmark on October 1, after a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus.
The conflict reportedly began after Ronaldo was left on the bench during Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway on September 27. Ronaldo accused Jesus of breaking promises regarding his role, asserting that he had been told he would enter the match for 30 minutes but was ultimately not brought on. The situation escalated when Jesus indicated Ronaldo would not start in the following fixture against Denmark, leading to Ronaldo’s decision to leave the national team camp before the match, traveling away from Copenhagen on a private jet.
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed on October 9 that disciplinary proceedings had been opened against Ronaldo and classified the case as urgent. As part of the process, the striker has been provisionally suspended from national team duties pending a final ruling. The FPF’s statement noted that a non-automatic preventative suspension was imposed alongside the opening of the investigation.
Ronaldo subsequently issued an apology to supporters for not greeting them after the Norway game and for leaving his teammates during the international break. He also stated he would accept any sanctions imposed but emphasized his ongoing commitment to the national team. In a lengthy statement, Ronaldo accused Jorge Jesus of twice reneging on agreements concerning his playing time and described the situation as a breach of trust. Despite the dispute, Ronaldo reiterated that he is not retiring from international football and remains eager to represent Portugal.
FPF president Pedro Proenca reportedly traveled to Copenhagen in an attempt to mediate between Ronaldo and Jesus, who previously worked together at Al-Nassr. The federation now faces the challenge of resolving the issue in a manner that balances disciplinary standards with Ronaldo’s significant contributions to Portuguese football. Ronaldo is the all-time record holder for both appearances and goals at the international level, with 234 caps and 146 goals.
As the investigation continues, Ronaldo’s participation in upcoming fixtures, including matches scheduled for November against Denmark and Wales, remains uncertain. The outcome of the disciplinary proceedings will determine his availability for selection during that period.