Cristiano Ronaldo suspended by Portugal after leaving national-team camp
Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation while an independent disciplinary investigation examines his decision to leave the national-team camp. The suspension, imposed on October 10, prevents the 41-year-old from taking part in Portugal activity before next month’s international window.
Ronaldo left camp after Norway omission
The dispute followed Portugal’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League win over Norway, when Ronaldo remained on the bench despite spending around 30 minutes warming up.
- Ronaldo departed the squad before the Denmark fixture.
- He later apologised to his Portugal team-mates in a public statement.
- The forward also accused coach Jorge Jesus of failing to keep a promise over his involvement.
- Ronaldo compared his standing in the game with Pele and Diego Maradona.
- His statement included his view of what Jesus should have said at a planned press conference.
The public criticism was regarded as a challenge to the manager, the squad and the Portuguese federation. Jesus has retained control of the situation, although he has not ruled out a future return for the veteran striker. Ronaldo has also maintained that he is available for selection once the case is resolved.
Rooney attacks former Manchester United partner
Wayne Rooney has strongly criticised Ronaldo’s exit, questioning why his former Manchester United colleague chose to make the dispute public on the same day Lionel Messi announced his Argentina retirement.
Rooney said Ronaldo’s actions were wrong from every angle, arguing that the striker had undermined Jesus, his Portugal colleagues and the federation. He added that players eventually have to accept the end of their international careers and suggested Ronaldo was struggling with that reality.
Manager comments anger Rooney most
Rooney was particularly critical of Ronaldo’s attempt to set out how Jesus should address the row in public.
“You cannot tell a manager what he has to say,” Rooney said, describing the episode as beyond anything he had encountered in football.
- Rooney and Ronaldo played together at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson from 2004 to 2009.
- They won three Premier League titles and the Champions League during that spell.
- Ronaldo left for Real Madrid eight years before Rooney’s own Old Trafford departure.
- The pair had also shared success at Al-Nassr, where Ronaldo previously backed Jesus for the Portugal role after the 2026 World Cup.
What happens next
The disciplinary process remains open and Ronaldo cannot undertake any Portugal duties while the provisional ban is in force. His international future will depend on the outcome of the investigation and whether Jesus decides to bring him back into the squad.
