Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal national team camp

Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s national team camp in Denmark, just hours after head coach Jorge Jesus said the 41-year-old forward would not start the UEFA Nations League match against Denmark. Ronaldo confirmed his decision in a statement on social media after speaking with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença. He said he decided to leave the national team camp following the coach’s press conference and his conversation with the federation president. Ronaldo added that he intends to explain the reasons behind his decision to the Portuguese public at a later stage. Despite leaving the camp, Ronaldo wished his Portugal teammates success in their upcoming match. Jesus had said Ronaldo would once again start on the bench against Denmark, with Gonçalo Ramos expected to lead Portugal’s attack. The coach denied that there was a conflict between himself and Ronaldo, stressing that decisions over the starting lineup were his responsibility. He also indicated that Ronaldo could have been introduced during the match if needed. Ronaldo had already been an unused substitute in Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway on Sunday. According to the report, it was the first official Portugal match in more than 18 years in which Ronaldo was available for selection but did not play. He subsequently missed a team training session and did not take part in Portugal’s session in Copenhagen, despite arriving at the stadium with the squad. Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record appearance maker and goalscorer, with the supplied report listing him at 146 goals in 234 international appearances. His departure means Portugal will prepare for the Nations League meeting with Denmark without one of the most prominent players in the national team's history.