Cristiano Ronaldo issues first‑person account of Portugal training‑camp exit and dispute with coach

On October 6, 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo published a first‑person statement explaining his departure from Portugal’s training camp and the breakdown of his relationship with the national team coach, saying the disagreement stemmed from a plan that was later changed and that the episode became a matter of trust.

Ronaldo said the dispute began after the 2026 World Cup when the Portuguese Football Federation president asked him to reconsider his decision to leave the national team and sought his view on the coach under consideration; Ronaldo said he supported that appointment and was pleased when the coach was unveiled. He described a subsequent in‑person meeting at the Cidade do Futebol in which the coach outlined a plan for his involvement — that he would play the first and last games and that three or four substitutions would be made per match — and that the coach initially proposed he remain in Portugal for the Norway and Denmark fixtures, a suggestion Ronaldo rejected. Simao Coutinho, Al Nassr’s sporting director, took part in the discussions, Ronaldo said, and later joined follow‑up talks.

Ronaldo recounted the Norway match sequence, saying he was told at lunchtime by a coach’s assistant that the coach wanted to know if he could play 30 minutes; he agreed despite that falling outside the recovery plan that had him scheduled to play only in the Estadio do Dragao fixture. He warmed up from half‑time but was not used, an episode he identified as a turning point that contributed to the loss of trust between him and the coach. Ronaldo emphasised he had never demanded playing time and asserted he had always accepted technical decisions made by coaches.

Addressing his conduct after the Norway game, Ronaldo said he did not go over to acknowledge the fans and described that as a mistake for which he apologised to the Portuguese people, the fans and those who had travelled to see him. He said a meeting with the coach and Coutinho took place 48 hours later with the objective of resolving the issue; Ronaldo said the coach agreed privately to tell the press that Ronaldo had not asked for minutes, that the original plan had come from the coach, and that warming him up and not using him had been a mistake. Ronaldo said the meeting ended with the coach asking for a hug and promising to make that explanation in the subsequent press conference.

Ronaldo said the coach’s public remarks at the press conference did not match what had been agreed privately, and he cited a set of notes he had approved that read: "I think it is important, particularly because it is the truth, to clear up a few things before discussing Denmark." He said that public divergence was the second time his word had been broken and that, because he needed honesty in relationships, he chose to leave the training camp rather than await further broken promises; he added he felt his continued presence would harm the group and so packed his things and left.

Ronaldo stated he told the federation president and the coach that if they did not want him in the squad they should simply tell him, and he recalled they replied, "No." He accepted responsibility for leaving the camp, apologised to his teammates and said the Portuguese Football Federation should assess his actions and impose the appropriate punishment, adding that his status as captain should be considered an aggravating factor and that any sanction should not be reduced.

On his future with Portugal, Ronaldo said the dispute has not changed his desire to represent the national team and addressed talk of a farewell match by promising supporters: "I can promise all my supporters, particularly the Portuguese people, that we will play one or more farewell games." He further stated that once he is physically fit, playing for his club and after serving any suspension, he will be available to play for Portugal.

The immediate next steps outlined by Ronaldo are for the Portuguese Football Federation to determine any sanction and, as he put it, for him to serve that suspension and return to club action; he says after those conditions are met he will remain available for national team selection.