Football

Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary time with the Portugal national team may be coming to an inauspicious and embarrassing conclusion.

Read more Lucky Mischief Slot Review

After 234 appearances and 146 goals for his country, Ronaldo has quit the national team abruptly in the middle of an international break, sensationally leaving camp one day before Portugal take on Denmark in UEFA Nations League action.

Ronaldo was an unused substitute in Portugal’s most recent game, a 2-1 victory over Norway on the weekend, sparking a feud with new head coach Jorge Jesus that saw CR7 ultimately crash out. He was seen storming straight down the tunnel at full-time of the last match, instead of celebrating on the pitch with his teammates, and has subsequently decided to leave the squad.

Could this be the end of Ronaldo’s time as Portugal’s shining star and guiding light?

MORE: Explaining the beef between Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus that led to his departure from camp

Cristiano Ronaldo quits national team camp

On Wednesday, September 30, Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that he has departed the Portugal national team camp.

«After the National Team coach’s press conference, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the National Team training camp,» Ronaldo said via a statement on social media.

«In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself. Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates.»

Read more Georgia Rolls Out International iGaming Licence With 6% GGR Tax

Earlier in the day, reports had claimed that Ronaldo was embroiled in a feud with new head coach Jorge Jesus, which led to Ronaldo’s refusal to train 30 minutes before their session began the day before the upcoming match against Denmark.

Reports then claimed that the president of the Portuguese football federation, Pedro Proenca, had altered his schedule to link up with the national team camp and mediate the dispute, but it seems to have been in vain.

Ronaldo was spotted leaving the training facility at Malmo, with his private jet reportedly inbound, and he subsequently confirmed his departure from camp.

Após a conferência de imprensa do Selecionador Nacional, e no seguimento de uma conversa com o Presidente da Federação Portuguesa de Futebol, tomei a decisão de deixar o estágio da Seleção Nacional.

A seu tempo, direi a verdade a todos os Portugueses sobre as razões que… pic.twitter.com/j8Qrws9KTS

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) September 30, 2026

Will Cristiano Ronaldo retire?

It’s entirely like that, at 41 years old and currently feuding with the head coach of the national team, that Cristiano Ronaldo could hang up his boots on an international level.

Ronaldo seems like the kind of player who would wish to go out on his own terms, and such an end to a legendary international career would be a shame, but it doesn’t currently seem as if there is a way back for the Al Nassr star.

It remains to be seen whether this is the end of his international career, but at the moment, it feels possible that Ronaldo could indeed be done.

Read more Football