The Al-Nassr and Portugal forward, Cristiano Ronaldo faces a possible suspension of up to six months from international football after leaving Portugal’s national team camp amid a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus. The Portuguese Football Federation’s disciplinary regulations reportedly prescribe a suspension of between one and six months for a player who abandons national team duty without justification, alongside a possible fine of €500 to €1,000. However, the length of any punishment will depend on the federation’s disciplinary process.
The controversy followed Portugal’s 2–1 Nations League victory over Norway, during which Ronaldo remained an unused substitute despite warming up. The 41-year-old subsequently left the camp ahead of the fixture against Denmark. In a statement released on October 6, Ronaldo claimed that Jesus had broken promises regarding his playing time and the public explanation of his omission. He apologised to his teammates and Portuguese supporters for his conduct but insisted that he was prepared to accept the consequences of his actions.
Despite the tension, Ronaldo has not announced his retirement from international football. He declared that he would remain available for Portugal after serving any suspension imposed on him. Meanwhile, Jesus and federation president Pedro Proença have indicated that the door remains open for his return, with the federation describing the incident as a misunderstanding. The final disciplinary decision could therefore determine whether Portugal will be without its record scorer for upcoming international matches.