Cristiano Ronaldo provisionally suspended by Portuguese federation after leaving national team camp
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, has been provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation after disciplinary proceedings were opened over his departure from the national team camp, the federation said on October 10, 2026. The FPF said the case was referred to its Disciplinary Investigation Committee and classified as urgent.
Ronaldo left the Portugal squad to rejoin his club Al-Nassr following a dispute with national team coach Jorge Jesus over his playing time after Portugal's 2-1 Nations League win over Norway, in which he remained an unused substitute. The federation said the initial provisional suspension had been followed by a further measure. "Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, following a decision by the Non-Professional Section on October 9, 2026," the FPF said in its statement. "The case was referred to the Disciplinary Investigation Committee on October 10, 2026, and all publicity is prohibited until the investigation is concluded," the federation added.
Ronaldo said Jesus had promised him 30 minutes of playing time before changing course, a claim the coach denied. He apologised to teammates and Portuguese supporters for leaving the camp and accepted that his actions warranted disciplinary action. "The consequences of my actions must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation," Ronaldo said in a statement earlier this week.
Under Article 160 of the FPF's disciplinary regulations, unjustified abandonment of national team duty can result in a suspension of between one and six months. No final sanction has been announced in Ronaldo's case.
Ronaldo has since returned to club action with Al-Nassr, scoring in their 3-0 win over Diriyah in the Saudi Pro League. He remains Portugal's record goalscorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 international appearances, and has not announced any retirement from international football.
Ronaldo's next appearance for Portugal will depend on the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings and any sanction imposed by the federation.
