Ronaldo leaves Portugal camp after being told he would not start against Denmark

PORTUGAL — Cristiano Ronaldo has departed Portugal’s national-team training camp after head coach Jorge Jesus said the forward would not start the Nations League match against Denmark.

Ronaldo said on Instagram that he made the decision after Jesus’s news conference and a conversation with the president of the Portuguese football federation. The federation confirmed that the captain had left camp and said preparations would continue with the remaining 24 squad members.

Coach denies feud

Jesus said at a pre-match news conference on Wednesday that he was not planning to select Ronaldo in the starting lineup against Denmark. However, he rejected the suggestion that the decision reflected a feud between the two men.

The coach said players understood that selection decisions rested with him and added that Ronaldo had told him he would accept whatever choices were made. Jesus also acknowledged that Ronaldo had been disappointed after remaining on the bench during Portugal’s Nations League victory over Norway.

Ronaldo had not trained with the rest of the squad since that match, according to the report.

Ronaldo promises explanation

In his statement, Ronaldo said he would explain the reasons for his departure to the Portuguese people “in time.” He also said he had always been “dedicated” to the national team.

“Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception,” Ronaldo said.

The federation said the national-team delegation remained focused on its upcoming fixtures and objectives.

Ronaldo, Portugal’s captain and record goalscorer, has represented the country for 23 years. He has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal.

His departure has raised questions about the future of his international career, although it is not clear whether he intends to retire from national-team football. Ronaldo recently said that the current Saudi Pro League season with Al-Nassr was likely to be the final season of his professional career.

At 41, Ronaldo has scored 979 career goals, according to the report. The exact reasons for his departure, and whether he will return to Portugal’s squad, remain unclear.