Cristiano Ronaldo has recently expressed his thoughts after leaving the training camp of the Portugal national football team. He took to social media to share that he will explain the reasons behind his departure at a later time, while also wishing luck to his teammates.
The Portugal captain made this announcement following discussions with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Proena, and after a press conference with national coach Jorge Jesus. In his message, Ronaldo stated, “After the coach’s press conference and my conversation with the Federation president, I have decided to leave our training camp. I will share the truth with all Portuguese fans about why I made this decision, as I have always been committed to the national team.”
He concluded his post by sending best wishes to the team and his fellow players.
Ronaldo’s message has triggered speculation about the future of his international career, even though he did not officially announce his retirement. Some outlets suggested that the tone of his words seemed like a farewell.
His departure from the Portugal camp in Copenhagen came just one day before a scheduled match against Denmark in the Nations League. This move followed a challenging period for the 41-year-old forward, who had been an unused substitute in Portugal’s recent victory over Norway. Coach Jesus had initially planned to bring Ronaldo off the bench but ultimately chose not to.
Instead of joining his teammates in training on Monday and Tuesday, Ronaldo opted to work out in the gym, though it was noted that he was not injured. Jesus reassured the media that there were no significant issues between them, stating that Ronaldo would participate in team training and he would determine if he would play against Denmark.
“I am the coach,” Jesus said. “I informed him he would not start and would be on the bench.” Despite this, Ronaldo left the training facility shortly after the press conference. Reports indicated that he departed in a federation vehicle, as his teammates arrived to start their training session.
Earlier, Jesus mentioned that Ronaldo felt disappointed about not playing against Norway, but insisted that the situation was resolved. The Portuguese Football Federation has confirmed that Ronaldo has officially left the camp, while the remaining players continue their preparations for the upcoming match.
Ronaldo’s recent statement has drawn attention to his international future. He holds the record for the most appearances for Portugal with 234 caps and is the team’s all-time leading scorer with 146 goals. His career with the national team spans over twenty years, and he has hinted in recent interviews that 2026 may mark the end of his playing days. However, as of now, there has been no official announcement regarding his retirement.
