Sports
Portuguese federation to meet Ronaldo as crisis over bench role escalates
October 2, 2026 at 01:07 PM · Updated 14d ago
Coverage
10 reports · over 6 hours
The Portuguese Football Federation is moving to defuse its standoff with Cristiano Ronaldo after the captain left the national team camp.
- Federation officials plan to meet Ronaldo next week, with the player's approval, to reconcile the parties including coach Jorge Jesus.
- Ronaldo left the Portugal camp Tuesday after Jesus said he would not start in the Denmark match.
- Lisbon authorities removed banners supporting Ronaldo against Jesus, deeming the posters illegal, and are investigating who funded the campaign.
- Portugal beat Denmark 4-2 in the Nations League on Thursday, with Rafael Leao wearing Ronaldo's number 7 shirt.
- Defender Nuno Mendes said it is not his place to decide on Ronaldo's situation, expressing comfort working under coach Jorge Jesus.
- Ronaldo appears set to retire permanently from the Portugal national team after walking out of the Copenhagen camp.
- Portuguese businessman Fernando Maia launched billboard campaigns in Lisbon and Oeiras backing Ronaldo and criticizing Jesus.
- Ronaldo said he will explain the real reasons for his decision to the Portuguese people at an appropriate time.
- Statistics cited by The Sun show Portugal averages 2.7 goals per game without Ronaldo since 2017, against 2.1 with him on the pitch.
- Denmark striker Rasmus Højlund mimicked Ronaldo's trademark spinning jump to celebrate his goal and reportedly shoved coach Jorge Jesus after the final whistle.
- Portuguese journalist Pedro Sobvida dismissed as baseless reports of a conspiracy among national team players to expel Ronaldo from the camp.
- The Portuguese Football Federation is reportedly arranging a farewell match to mark the end of Ronaldo's international career.








