Sports
Ronaldo leaves Portugal camp after bench demotion, sparking reactions
October 3, 2026 at 08:56 AM · Updated 13d ago
Coverage
11 reports · over 12 hours
Cristiano Ronaldo has departed Portugal's national team camp after being benched against Norway, drawing reactions from players, coaches, and former teammates.
- Ronaldo left the Portugal camp in Copenhagen after coach Jorge Jesus kept him on the bench during the 2-1 win over Norway.
- Jesus said the decision was technical and that no player would change his coaching ideas.
- Thierry Henry defended Ronaldo's legacy, while Arturo Vidal said the coach mishandled the situation.
- Ronaldo liked a social media post asserting "no one can touch Cristiano" following his departure.
- Ronaldo said he will reveal the reasons for his exit from the Portugal camp 'in due time'.
- Ronaldo liked a video by Brazilian Felipe Melo comparing Portugal's players' treatment of him to Argentina's treatment of Lionel Messi.
- Jesus agreed to meet with Ronaldo following mediation by the Portuguese Football Federation, which awaits the captain's response.
- Bruno Fernandes, set to captain Portugal, said he spoke with Ronaldo, insisted the squad is united, and called him the biggest symbol of Portuguese football.
- Denmark forward Rasmus Hojlund denied a viral message praising Ronaldo, replying on social media: 'I didn't say that'.
- Portugal's football federation lost nearly two million social media followers during the crisis, while Jesus lost about 100,000.
- Spain coach Luis de la Fuente declined to comment on the Ronaldo controversy, saying he lacks sufficient information about it.










