Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal camp as Jorge Jesus denies rift

Ronaldo walks out of Portugal camp as Jesus insists 'no incident whatsoever'

Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal's international training camp and says he will explain his reasons "in time", following a wave of reports suggesting a breakdown in his relationship with head coach Jorge Jesus.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner did not feature in Portugal's 2-1 Nations League win over Norway in Oslo on Sunday and, at the final whistle, did not join his team-mates in going over to the visiting fans. Instead, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United player headed straight for the changing rooms — prompting speculation that he was unhappy with the manager.

Ronaldo was included in Jesus' 25-man squad for the current international break and started the opening Nations League game against Wales. The Al-Nassr forward has previously said he considered retiring from international football after this summer's World Cup but opted to continue as he chases down 1,000 career goals.

"There was no incident whatsoever"

Speaking to media before Portugal's Nations League match against Denmark on Thursday, Jesus moved to shut down talk of a rift.

"There was no incident whatsoever," Jesus said. "Any player — and I was a player myself — when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don't get on, no-one is happy about that."

The former Benfica manager said he had told Ronaldo before the Norway match that he would not be starting but might be brought on later. "Afterwards, as coach, I decided not to bring him on. It's nothing to make a fuss about," he added.

Jesus also dismissed suggestions that Ronaldo had refused to train on Tuesday, saying the 41-year-old instead had to do individual exercises for "mobility" and "strengthening" but would train as normal on Wednesday. However, Ronaldo did not join his team-mates on the pitch in Denmark, with Portuguese media sharing a video of him leaving Parken stadium alongside two members of the backroom staff.

Ronaldo confirms his exit

Ronaldo later took to Instagram to confirm he had left the camp.

"After the press conference of the national team and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team training camp," he wrote. "In time, I will tell all the Portuguese the truth about the reasons that motivated me to leave."

He added that he wished his team-mates good luck in their forthcoming games.

Ramos preferred as Ronaldo's replacement

Goncalo Ramos scored the winner against Norway, and Jesus had said the AC Milan striker would again be preferred to Ronaldo against Denmark. "If I need [Ronaldo], he'll come on. If I don't need him, he won't," the coach said.

Federation confirms departure

The Portuguese Football Federation later confirmed Ronaldo's departure in a statement which added: "Preparation for the two matches against Denmark and Norway continue as planned with the 24 remaining squad members. The entire delegation remains totally focussed on the national team's next fixtures and on achieving the established objectives."

How the saga unfolded

The latest twist caps a turbulent few days for the Portugal captain. On 23 September, it was reported that Jesus — taking charge of Portugal for the first time after succeeding Roberto Martinez — had confirmed Ronaldo would start the Nations League opener against Wales. After being left unused in the win over Norway, Ronaldo held a direct conversation with Jesus, according to reporting on 30 September, further fuelling talk of a crisis inside the national team.