Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation after disciplinary proceedings were opened against the striker over his decision to walk out on the national team camp, Portuguese media reported on Saturday.
The federation confirmed to the newspaper A Bola that proceedings had been opened and that Ronaldo had initially been subject to an automatic preventive suspension before a further, non-automatic provisional suspension was imposed, with the case classified as urgent. The move makes official what has been the most dramatic rupture between a player and his national federation in recent football history.
How the row began
The rift opened during the last international window. Ronaldo, 41, was left as an unused substitute — and made to warm up without being brought on — during Portugal's 2-1 UEFA Nations League win away to Norway on September 27. He then left the squad's base in Copenhagen before the match against Denmark, after learning he would not start, following a dispute with newly appointed head coach Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo accused Jesus of breaking his word twice: first over the promised playing time in Oslo, then over a supposedly pre-approved set of talking points that were not delivered at the press conference before the Denmark game. The striker did not acknowledge the travelling supporters after the final whistle in Oslo, walking straight down the tunnel.
Ronaldo's statement and apology
In a lengthy 1,740-word statement posted on Tuesday, Ronaldo apologised to his team-mates and supporters, acknowledging that he should not have left the camp and calling on the federation to punish him for his actions. He insisted, however, that he was not retiring from international football.
"I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team," Ronaldo wrote, accepting that his actions must be punished by the federation. The forward added that he hoped to be available again after serving whatever suspension is imposed.
What happens next
No final punishment has been announced. The federation referred the case to its Disciplinary Investigation Commission, and details of the proceedings will remain confidential until the investigation concludes. Reuters reported that it had contacted the Portuguese Football Federation for comment.
Under the federation's disciplinary regulations, a player who abandons or fails to appear for a training session, match or national team activity without justification can be suspended for one to six months, plus a fine. Ronaldo did tell the federation that he was leaving, but it is not yet clear whether that will be considered sufficient justification.
The saga has overshadowed an otherwise comfortable Nations League campaign: Portugal won all four of their group matches and qualified for the quarter-finals with two games to spare, even without their record scorer.
A landmark career at stake
Ronaldo is Portugal's all-time leader in appearances and goals, with 146 international goals, and the all-time record appearance-maker in men's international football. On Friday, Chronicle reported that he scored his 980th career goal for Al-Nassr in a 3-0 Saudi Pro League win over Diriyah — his first match since leaving the Portugal camp. Earlier in the week, he had set out his position in a full statement on the exit that followed the Norway Nations League match that triggered the row.
Key takeaways
- The Portuguese Football Federation has opened disciplinary proceedings against Cristiano Ronaldo and provisionally suspended him.
- The case relates to Ronaldo walking out on the national team camp after a row with coach Jorge Jesus over playing time.
- Ronaldo, 41, apologised to team-mates and supporters but insists he will remain available for Portugal.
- The federation's rules allow for a suspension of one to six months plus a fine; no final punishment has been announced.
- Portugal qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals with two games to spare despite the controversy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Cristiano Ronaldo suspended by Portugal?
The Portuguese Football Federation provisionally suspended him after opening disciplinary proceedings over his decision to walk out on the national team camp during a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus about playing time in Nations League matches against Norway and Denmark.
What did Ronaldo say about the incident?
In a lengthy statement this week, Ronaldo apologised to his team-mates and supporters, said he should not have left the camp, and acknowledged he deserves punishment — but insisted he has no plans to retire from international football.
How long could the suspension last?
The federation's disciplinary regulations allow for suspensions of one to six months, plus a fine, for a player who abandons a national team activity without justification. No final sanction has been announced.
How did Portugal perform without him?
Portugal won all four of their Nations League group matches, qualifying for the quarter-finals with two games to spare.
