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Cristiano Ronaldo Faces Possible Six-Month Ban After Leaving Portugal Squad

Cristiano Ronaldo May Be Suspended for Six Months After Exiting Portugal Camp

Cristiano Ronaldo is in danger of a suspension lasting up to six months after walking out on the Portugal national team following a heated dispute with coach Jorge Jesus. The forward abruptly left the squad camp in Copenhagen after being benched against Norway, risking disciplinary action under the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) rules ahead of their game against Denmark.

Departure Follows Intense Clash With Coach

The legendary striker's exit came after a fiery argument with Jesus. He left the camp on Wednesday and later held talks with FPF president Pedro Proenca. According to federation rules, leaving national duties without a valid reason can lead to a lengthy ban and fines for professional players.

Federation’s Disciplinary Code Outlines Punishments

FPF’s regulations specifically address unapproved absences. As reported by ESPN, these state:

  • Players who abandon or skip training, matches, or any national team activities without justification face suspensions ranging from one to six months.
  • Professional players may also be fined between 500 and 1,000 euros.

Coach Jesus Stands Firm Despite Ronaldo's Status

The conflict ignited after Jesus left Ronaldo unused on the bench against Norway and firmly defended his decision during a press briefing in Copenhagen. The coach said:

I can promise whatever I want. I am the manager. I am the coach, and I told the player he was not going to play. I'll put him on the bench; if I need you for 30 minutes, you’ll play, and if not, you won’t. No player will ever change my mind. Not him, not anyone in football. Not any president either. Never, zero.

Training Absence Confirms Rift

The disagreement spilled over to training, where Ronaldo skipped Wednesday's session at Parken Stadium. An official FPF update noted:

  • Joao Felix rejoined the group.
  • Francisco Conceicao (ruled out for tomorrow) and Cristiano Ronaldo did not train.

Having already missed Tuesday’s session in Sweden, Ronaldo’s absence sealed his exclusion from Thursday’s matchday squad.

Portugal Faces Denmark Without Their Top Scorer

The Selecao must now face Denmark in Copenhagen on Thursday before hosting Norway on Sunday in a tough Nations League double-header. This situation tests Jesus’s control as he leads the team without Portugal’s all-time leading scorer.

The FPF is also confronted with a difficult choice regarding whether to enforce the possible six-month ban on their long-serving star player.

Upcoming Match Details

  • Competition: UEFA Nations League A
  • Match: Denmark vs Portugal
  • Date & Time: 1 October 2026, 21:45

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