Cristiano Ronaldo left the Portugal national team training camp in Copenhagen on September 30, 2026, taking an evening flight to Madrid after head coach Jorge Jesus announced he would remain on the bench against Norway and would not start the upcoming UEFA Nations League match against Denmark, hurriyet.com.tr reported. The departure leaves the 41-year-old forward’s international future uncertain after 23 years representing his country.
Jorge Jesus and the Denmark Match Preparations
The rift widened when Jorge Jesus addressed reporters in a press conference ahead of the fixture at Parken Stadium, stating clearly that no player or president could alter his squad management. Goal.com noted that Jesus confirmed he told Ronaldo directly he would not feature against Norway or Denmark, remarking that if a 30-minute window arose, the player might enter, but otherwise he would not. NTV Haber reported that Ronaldo walked straight to the locker room after the 2-1 victory over Norway, which he spent entirely on the substitutes’ bench.
Following the coach’s remarks, Ronaldo skipped three consecutive training sessions, gathered his belongings from the team hotel, and requested his private jet from Madrid. Hurriyet.com.tr documented that national team manager Jorge Jesus and Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proença rushed to the airport to intercept the player and persuade him to stay, but their efforts failed as the aircraft departed Copenhagen at 23:35 Spanish time.
Rafael Leao Inherits the Number Seven Jersey
UEFA Nations League regulations mandate that matchday squads use squad numbers between 1 and 23, leaving the iconic number seven vacant in Ronaldo’s absence, transfermarkt.com.tr reported. Galatasaray winger Rafael Leao, valued at 40.00 mil. € according to transfermarkt.com.tr data, will wear the number seven shirt against Denmark. While transfermarkt.com.tr lists Leao’s market value at 40.00 mil. € and his club contract through June 2030, other squad members including Bruno Fernandes and Fábio Silva rejoin the group after missing the Norway fixture, though Francisco Conceição remains sidelined with an injury.
The number seven jersey carries deep historical weight for the national side. Transfermarkt.com.tr recorded that Ronaldo inherited the shirt from Luís Figo in 2008, building the “CR7” global brand while scoring 146 goals in 234 appearances and winning the 2016 European Championship. Past absences have occasionally forced other players like Pedro Neto, Francisco Trincão, and André Silva to wear the number.
Public Reaction and Political Fallout in Portugal
The sudden exit triggered sharp divisions across Portuguese football and politics. Onedio reported that an A Bola poll showed 78.2 percent of respondents blamed Ronaldo for the crisis, while 13.7 percent faulted Jorge Jesus and 8.1 percent pointed to federation president Pedro Proença. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro reportedly requesting a meeting with Jorge Jesus.
High-profile political figures offered vocal backing to the departing captain. Goal.com cited Madeira Regional Government President Miguel Albuquerque, who defended the forward by stating that 30, 40 and 50 years from now, everyone will remember Ronaldo, but nobody will remember the name of the national team coach. Albuquerque criticized the situation as the product of petty talk aimed at minimizing the player’s historic contributions.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ronaldo Departure
When did Cristiano Ronaldo leave the Portugal training camp in Copenhagen?
Ronaldo departed the team’s Copenhagen camp on the evening of September 30, 2026, boarding a private flight back to Madrid after learning he would not start against Denmark, according to hurriyet.com.tr.
Who will wear the number seven jersey in Ronaldo’s absence?
Galatasaray winger Rafael Leao will wear the number seven shirt for the UEFA Nations League match against Denmark, as tournament rules require 23-man matchday squads to use numbers 1 through 23, transfermarkt.com.tr reported.
Did federation officials attempt to stop Ronaldo from leaving?
Yes, Portugal manager Jorge Jesus and Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proença both traveled to the Copenhagen airport to convince the player to remain with the squad, but their attempts were unsuccessful, hurriyet.com.tr confirmed.
.jpg?format=webp&width=1200&height=630 "Photo: NTV Haber")
What is the status of Ronaldo’s international career following the camp departure?
Reports from hurriyet.com.tr indicate that the abrupt exit has sparked widespread speculation that his 23-year career with the national team has come to an end, though official confirmation regarding his permanent retirement remains unannounced.
Did you know? Cristiano Ronaldo is the player who has scored the most goals in men’s national team football with 146 goals in 234 official appearances for Portugal.
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