Cristiano Ronaldo has left the Portugal national team halfway through the international window with UEFA Nations League games against Denmark and Norway still to come.
The 41-year-old, who has suited up for Portugal 234 times and is the country's all-time leading scorer with 146 goals, was an unused substitute in the Seleção's 2-1 win over Norway on Sunday, Sept. 27.
That reportedly sparked frustration with Ronaldo, who had been an unused substitute just twice times before in his Portugal career, once in a dead rubber in Euro 2008 and once in a pre-tournament friendly before Euro 2024. Portugal's major sports newspapers reported a 'crisis meeting' between Ronaldo and the coaching staff.
The team's manager, Jorge Jesus, denied a rift with the player.
"Don't try to make a fuss where there isn't one. It was a coach's decision, I had a plan," he told reporters at a news conference.
After that news conference, however, Ronaldo said he spoke with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença and has made his decision to leave.
"After the national team coach's press conference, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I made the decision to leave the national team's training camp," he wrote on Instagram. "In time, I will tell the truth to all Portuguese people about the reasons behind my departure from the national team, which I have always dedicated myself to."
Jesus and Ronaldo have a long working relationship, with Jesus taking over Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia in part because of his familiarity with the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star. Ahead of the September matches, both men expressed optimism about Ronaldo's role with the team.
"They count on me. I still believe that I'm able to help the national team," Ronaldo said. "The most important point is to be able, inside the pitch, to score goals and help the team to win games."
Jesus will now look to win the next two matches without Ronaldo, preparing his side for the Oct. 1 game in Denmark and a home match against Norway on Oct. 4 with the remaining members of the Portugal team.
What did Cristiano Ronaldo's Instagram post about the Portugal national team say?
"After the national team coach's press conference, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I made the decision to leave the national team's training camp," the statement read. "In time, I will tell the truth to all Portuguese people about the reasons behind my departure from the national team, which I have always dedicated myself to.
"Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal team amidst spat with manager
