Summaries were generated by AI. Generative AI is experimental.
Explore other styles:
Cristiano Ronaldo has done the most Cristiano Ronaldo thing possible, which is to leave a national-team camp, post a cryptic message on Instagram, and promise that the full story is coming later.
The 41-year-old captain confirmed Wednesday that he had left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen, just a day before the team’s UEFA Nations League match against Denmark. The decision came after new manager Jorge Jesus told reporters that Ronaldo would not start the match—his second straight game without a place in the XI.
The fuse was lit days earlier in Oslo. During Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway on September 27, Ronaldo spent all 90 minutes rooted to the bench—the first time in 18 agonizing years he had been left as an unused substitute for his country. Jesus had publicly hinted at a cameo, but ultimately left the legend out in the cold. What followed was a tense, silent cold war: Ronaldo training in isolation, while Jesus offered media-trained assurances that his star wasn’t striking, but merely undergoing “individualized physical maintenance.”
By Wednesday, the temperature had risen. Jesus insisted there had been “no incident” between them and said Ronaldo’s disappointment was understandable after warming up without playing. He also made clear that selection decisions belonged to the manager.
Then Ronaldo left.
“In due course,” he wrote on Instagram, he would tell the Portuguese people “the truth” about his reasons for leaving the national team.
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed his departure and said preparations would continue with the remaining 24 players. Portugal is scheduled to face Denmark on October 1 and Norway again on October 4.
What happens next is less clear, as the football legend has not announced his retirement from the sport, and his statement did not explicitly say he was quitting Portugal altogether. But after being left unused against Norway and told he would not start against Denmark, his relationship with Jesus—and his future with the national team—is suddenly a lot more complicated. For now, Portugal has a match to play, and Ronaldo, apparently, has a story to tell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cristiano Ronaldo has not yet explained why he left Portugal’s camp. He said he would reveal the truth about his reasons in due course.
Jorge Jesus is Portugal’s new manager.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the captain of Portugal’s national football team.
Gabriel Yap
Gab is GQ Philippines’ Associate Features Editor, where he writes about the people, places, and ideas shaping contemporary culture. When he isn’t at events or chasing a story, you’ll likely find him somewhere far from the city, drawn to rugged and remote terrain as a mountaineer and to community-driven journalism. Before GQ, he made his way through Vogue Philippines in various roles, starting as a copywriter before becoming Vogue Man’s Fashion Writer, an occasional stylist, and a culture writer.
- KEYWORDS
- Cristiano Renaldo
- Football
