Ronaldo walks out on Portugal after Norway omission, sparking national team rupture
Cristiano Ronaldo walked out on Portugal’s squad after he was not introduced in their 2-1 win over Norway in this international window, Jonathan Wilson reported on October 5, 2026; the forward’s departure may signal the end of his international career. The move followed a sequence of events that began with Ronaldo playing 67 minutes in Portugal’s 1-0 victory over Wales earlier in the same period.
Jorge Jesus, who replaced Roberto Martínez after the World Cup, said there had been a verbal agreement that Ronaldo would not start the Norway game but might come on from the bench; early in the second half Ronaldo went to warm up, though it is unclear whether that was his initiative or Jesus’s instruction. Jesus did not bring him on and, according to Wilson, the omission prompted Ronaldo to leave the squad three days later, after what the columnist describes as Jesus’s refusal to apologise. Jesus previously coached Ronaldo at Al Nassr.
Wilson characterises Ronaldo as having been a dominant personality whose presence has been detrimental to Portugal in recent years, writing that “for the past four years, though, he has actively and obviously held Portugal back.” He also states that “for three tournaments, Ronaldo has undermined an extremely talented Portugal.” The column frames the episode as both a sad end to a career and an overdue separation between player and team.
The Portugal coach’s management style and response to the controversy are outlined in Wilson’s piece; Jesus, 72, is described as an old-school, authoritarian figure who has had rifts with players in the past. Jesus’s response to the furore is quoted in full: “I can say to any player that you’re starting on the bench: if I need you for 30 minutes you’re going to play, if I don’t need you, you’re not going to play,” he said. “The way I was reading the game he didn’t come on. Because it’s not Cristiano, just like it will never be any player that will change my ideas as the coach. Never! Not him, not anyone in football. Not him, not anyone, not any president. Never! Zero!”
Wilson reports that Jesus’s hardline selection policy coincided with strong team results in the window, including a 4-2 victory over Denmark described in the column as played “superbly.” Gonçalo Ramos is singled out for his contributions: he set up the first and scored another against Denmark, had already scored the winner against Norway, and was “on target Sunday as Portugal came from behind to beat Norway at home, making it four wins out of four in this window.” The column recalls that Ramos replaced Ronaldo at the 2022 World Cup last-16 tie with Switzerland and scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win.
Teammates’ reactions are included: Ramos said, “The new manager is a great help. We have clearer ideas; we know exactly where each teammate is, both in defense and attack. We’re improving day by day, and it’s all part of a process. We’re very happy with the win, once again against a good team.” Vitinha is quoted as saying Portugal’s improvement was “the work of the coach … I think beyond the win, the content of our game was great.” Wilson notes that Bruno Fernandes has remained notably diplomatic during the dispute.
Wilson reports that Jesus has offered Ronaldo another meeting to attempt reconciliation and that the Portuguese football federation appears to be preparing for the end of Ronaldo’s international involvement, beginning plans for a farewell game for the country’s record scorer. Both Jesus and Ronaldo have indicated they will say more this week.