The harsh sanction that Cristiano Ronaldo could face after leaving the national team

Cristiano Ronaldo shook the Portugal national team by leaving the training camp in Copenhagen before the match against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League. The 41-year-old forward made the decision after a press conference with coach Jorge Jesus and a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Proença. The FPF officially confirmed his departure and stated that preparations would continue with the remaining 24 players.

“In due time, I will tell the truth to all the Portuguese about the reasons for my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself”, Ronaldo wrote when announcing his decision. He also wished “good luck” to Portugal and all his teammates, but did not formally announce his international retirement.

Tension had begun against Norway

The conflict had been exposed days earlier. Cristiano was a substitute throughout the 2-1 victory against Norway and, once the match was over, went directly to the locker room without joining the team in greeting the Portuguese fans.

Jorge Jesus tried to downplay the episode. “There was no incident,” he initially assured, although he acknowledged that the forward was not satisfied with remaining on the bench. The coach also denied that Ronaldo had refused to train and explained that he had performed individual mobility and strengthening exercises.

The situation became tense again when Jesus publicly anticipated that Gonçalo Ramos would be a starter against Denmark. The coach insisted that all team members must adhere to the same rules and that Cristiano's career deserved respect, but not special treatment.

“I am in charge of the national team”

The message of authority was clear. Jesus made it clear that the decision on who plays belongs exclusively to the coach and stated that if he needed Ronaldo during the match, he would call on him.

Hours later, Cristiano left the training camp. According to Reuters, Jesus and the president of the FPF reportedly tried to convince him to stay and even went to Copenhagen airport, but the forward ended up traveling on a private flight to Madrid. The Federation did not provide public details about the specific reasons for the breakup.

The episode represents an unprecedented situation in Ronaldo's more than 20 years with the Portuguese national team. The departure occurred while Portugal is competing in a new edition of the Nations League and after the player had avoided definitively confirming when he would end his international career.

Can Cristiano Ronaldo be sanctioned?

The manner in which the departure occurred also opens a disciplinary discussion. The current regulations of the Portuguese Football Federation state that a regularly called-up player who unjustifiably leaves a training session, match, or activity of a national team may receive a suspension of one to six months, in addition to a fine if it concerns a professional.

That does not mean that Ronaldo will automatically receive that sanction. For it to be applicable, it must be determined, among other issues, whether the departure lacked an explanation accepted by the Federation. So far, the FPF has only confirmed his departure and has not announced the opening of a disciplinary procedure.