Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he has left the Portugal national team’s training camp on the eve of the Nations League match against Denmark, announcing the decision in a statement published on his social media accounts. The forward departed Copenhagen’s Parken only a few minutes after the national team coach’s press conference had come to an end.
In the statement, Ronaldo explained that he had taken the decision after that press conference and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation. “In due time I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led me to leave the National Team, to which I always devoted myself,” he said. He added that now was the time to wish Portugal and all of his teammates, “without exception”, good luck.
The exit came shortly after the national team coach, Jorge Jesus, had told that same press conference that there was no problem with the player. Ronaldo’s private jet was on its way to Copenhagen, and he was waiting in Denmark to fly on to Madrid.
Despite the tone of the message, the statement does not amount to a definitive farewell to the national team. It refers only to this break, which covers four Nations League matches.
Ronaldo leaves the camp as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and the footballer with the most international caps, a status that frames the significance of a decision taken on the eve of a competitive fixture.