RismadarVoice Reporters
October 1, 2026
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has described Cristiano Ronaldo as an icon of Portuguese football, saying he will give a full account of the circumstances surrounding the captain’s departure from the national team camp after Sunday’s UEFA Nations League match against Norway.
Jesus spoke amid continuing questions over Ronaldo’s decision to leave Portugal’s camp in Copenhagen ahead of Thursday’s Nations League encounter with Denmark.
The coach maintained that Ronaldo’s standing in Portuguese football was not in doubt and said he was comfortable with the decisions he had made concerning the veteran forward.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is a football symbol; that was never in question,” Jesus said.
He added that he would address the controversy in greater detail after Portugal completes the international window against Norway on Sunday.
“I will explain everything after the last game,” Jesus said, adding that he would not avoid questions surrounding the episode.
Ronaldo’s departure followed several days of uncertainty after he remained an unused substitute during Portugal’s 2–1 victory over Norway on September 27.
Jesus said after that match that his decision not to introduce Ronaldo was tactical, explaining that the circumstances of the game led him to retain other attacking options.
Ronaldo subsequently trained separately from the main squad before leaving the camp in Copenhagen on Wednesday.
The 41-year-old announced that his departure followed discussions with Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proença and said he would disclose the reasons behind his decision “in due course.”
The Portuguese Football Federation subsequently confirmed Ronaldo’s departure from the squad but did not provide a detailed explanation for the decision.
Jesus has rejected suggestions that Ronaldo’s status as one of Portugal’s greatest players has been diminished by the episode.
“Nobody can take away what Cristiano represents. He’s an icon, and that’s not in question,” the coach said.
Portugal are scheduled to conclude the current international window against Norway on Sunday, October 4, after which Jesus has said he will publicly address the circumstances surrounding Ronaldo’s departure.
