Ronaldo quits Portugal camp amid reports of rift
Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal's UEFA Nations League squad ahead of its match against Denmark on Friday (AEST), with reports emerging that there was some tension between himself and coach Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo started for Portugal in its 1-0 win over Wales in its opening game before being taken off in the 67th minute, but he was an unused substitute in the 2-1 victory against Norway.
After that game, the reports of a a rift began, Jesus having stated before the game that he planned to use the 41-year-old at some stage.
In Thursday's (AEST) press conference, Jesus said he had already spoken to Ronaldo about his role this international break, saying he would also not play against Denmark.
The Portugal captain trained away from his team-mates earlier in the week, with reports suggesting there was a "crisis" meeting being held between Ronaldo, Jesus and Portugal Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proenca to clear the air.
"After the press conference of the national team, and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have made the decision to leave the national team training camp," Ronaldo posted on Instagram.
"In due course, I will tell all the Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led me to leave the national team, to which I always dedicated myself.
"Now is the time to wish Portugal and all my team-mates good luck, without exception."
Jesustried to make light of the situation, insisting there is no rift between himself and Ronaldo.
"I don't have one player; I have 23 players," Jesus said.
"Regarding Ronaldo, let me ask two questions; I won't answer any more. The main thing is Denmark.
"It's true that I made an agreement with him, just like I made a plan with Bruno Fernandes. I told Cris that he wouldn't play in the games in Norway and Denmark.
"I know his physical condition well; I was with him in Saudi Arabia. In games every three days, he rarely played. He never trained on the first and second days after the games.
"I agreed with him. That's what happened. I don't go to the bench thinking that, at the 60th minute, I'm going to take Carlos Daniel off. That's not how I am on the bench.
"The game dictates what I'm going to do. I agreed that he wouldn't play, but I might also need him in the final minutes ... If the game required it.
"I worked with Cris for a year. It seems like there's already something going on between me and him. Don't make a big deal out of it; there's nothing going on. It was the same plan with Bruno Fernandes.
"Status is one thing; the rules are another."
Asked again about the friction between the pair, Jesus added: "Any player who warms up and then doesn't come on – no one is happy.
"Much less Cris, Pele, [Diego] Maradona. 'Warm up for thirty minutes, me?' Then, as the coach, I decided they weren't included."
Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in men's international football (146 goals) and is pursuing the milestone of 1,000 career goals.
Portugal will be without Ronaldo for its clash with Denmark, as well as the return fixture against Norway on 5 October (AEST).
The Selecao currently sits top of Group A4 with six points from six, with Jesus making a perfect start to his tenure.
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Portugal
