Cristiano Ronaldo quits Portugal training camp in Copenhagen after Jorge Jesus admits tensions

Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen on Wednesday (September 30, 2026), shortly after coach Jorge Jesus acknowledged there were tensions between them, with the move coming a day before Portugal face Denmark in the Nations League. The 41-year-old posted on Instagram that he decided to leave following Jesus’s press conference and after speaking with Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proenca, saying he would explain his reasons "in due course."

Jesus took charge of Portugal after Roberto Martinez departed following the World Cup, and Ronaldo is Portugal's record goalscorer with 146 goals and their most-capped player with 234 appearances. Last week, Ronaldo accused the media of trying to "kill" him for "years" and said he could leave "today" if the manager did not want him in the squad; his departure from camp occurred after Jesus publicly acknowledged a rift.

The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed Ronaldo had left camp and said preparations for the match against Denmark and Sunday's home game against Norway would continue as planned with the remaining 24 players. The FPF added, "The entire squad ​remains fully focused on the national team’s ‌upcoming fixtures and on achieving the objectives set.” Portugal’s squad later arrived at their hotel without Ronaldo or Jesus.

Portugal’s training session began after a brief delay with Ronaldo absent. Several Portuguese media outlets reported Ronaldo left Parken Stadium minutes after Jesus finished speaking to reporters, and Portuguese newspaper A Bola posted a video that appeared to show him leaving the stadium in an FPF vehicle shortly after Jesus had said the forward would train with the squad. Reuters confirmed Ronaldo's private jet left Madrid airport at 7:49 p.m. local time en route to Copenhagen and was scheduled to return to the Spanish capital at 11:30 p.m. local time.

Jesus denied that Ronaldo had refused to train and told reporters not to manufacture a controversy, saying, "He didn't refuse. He's going to train today." He added, "It's the fourth day, so he's going to train. And he didn't refuse to train. It's impossible. Do you believe that? Not Cris." Jesus said there had been no incident but confirmed speaking to Ronaldo: "They forced me to talk to ‌Cris about an issue that didn't exist. There was nothing to talk about." He relayed Ronaldo saying, "I'm here for you to ​decide. If you want me to play, I'll play. If you want me to go to the stands, I'll go'."

Ronaldo did not play in Portugal's 2-1 away win over Norway on Sunday after Jesus told him he would come off the bench but ultimately chose not to use him. The forward worked in the gym rather than with the squad on Monday and Tuesday, despite not being injured.

The episode prompted questions about whether Ronaldo's long international career was nearing its end and whether Jesus was encountering difficulties early in his tenure, only two matches into his time as manager. Portugal will prepare for the Nations League fixture against Denmark and Sunday's home match with Norway with the remaining 24 players after Ronaldo's departure.