After Portugal coach Jorge Jesus said Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn’t start against Denmark, the star announced that he had left the national team’s training camp.
“Following the national team coach’s press conference, and after a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team’s training camp,” said Ronaldo.
“In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons behind my departure from the national team, to which I have always been fully committed.
“Now is the time to wish Portugal and all my teammates, without exception, the best of luck.”
Portugal’s head coach, Jorge Jesus, revealed at a press conference the day before the match that the plan was not for Cristiano Ronaldo to take the field for Portugal in Thursday’s meeting with Denmark.
While the experienced coach would not rule out the possibility of Ronaldo coming on as a substitute, he said the star would not be in the starting lineup against Denmark.
He was asked if he had spoken to Ronaldo about playing, for instance, 30 minutes. “Of course I have—and perhaps even more. Ronaldo is never going to change my ideas. If I say he isn’t coming on, then he isn’t coming on,” said Jesus.
Following the manager’s comments, and just as the Portuguese team was about to begin a final preparatory training session at Parken on Wednesday evening, Ronaldo was seen leaving the stadium. Jorge Jesus had previously stated at the press conference that Ronaldo would take part in training.
Furthermore, it was reported that Ronaldo’s private plane was flying to Copenhagen on Wednesday night, suggesting that he was going to leave the camp altogether.
