Cristiano Ronaldo provisionally suspended by Portugal after national team walkout
Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation after disciplinary proceedings were opened against him for walking out of the national team camp.
The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward left Portugal’s training base in Copenhagen on 30 September, the day before a UEFA Nations League match against Denmark. The decision followed a public disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus over playing time.
Ronaldo, Portugal’s all-time leading scorer with 146 goals in 234 appearances, had been an unused substitute in the 2-1 win over Norway three days earlier. When Jesus indicated the captain would not start against Denmark, Ronaldo chose to leave the squad.
In a lengthy statement earlier this week, Ronaldo accused Jesus of an “absolute breach of trust” after the coach allegedly went back on agreements about his involvement. He apologised to his teammates and supporters, accepted that he should face consequences, and insisted the punishment should not be softened because of his status as captain. He also made clear he is not retiring from international football and remains available once any ban is served.
On Saturday the FPF confirmed formal disciplinary proceedings had been launched. A statement said the Non-Professional Section decided on 9 October to open the case to examine the disciplinary relevance of the events reported on 7 October. Ronaldo had already been subject to an automatic provisional suspension; a further non-automatic preventive suspension was imposed and the process was given urgent status. The case has been referred to the Disciplinary Investigation Commission, with details to remain confidential until the investigation concludes.
Under FPF regulations, abandoning a national team call-up without justification can carry a suspension of between one and six months, plus a fine. No final sanction has yet been announced.
Ronaldo returned to club action on Friday and scored as Al-Nassr won 3-0. Portugal, meanwhile, continue their Nations League campaign without their talismanic captain while the disciplinary process runs its course.
The episode marks one of the most dramatic ruptures in recent Portuguese football history involving a player who has defined the national team for two decades. Whether the suspension proves short or lengthy will determine how soon — or whether — Ronaldo wears the Portugal shirt again under Jorge Jesus.
