Rabat – Cristiano Ronaldo has decided to retire from international football and will not represent Portugal again, according to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.
O Jogo reported on Wednesday evening that the Portugal captain had made an “irreversible” decision following his sudden departure from the national team camp in Copenhagen. The newspaper said Portugal’s 1-0 Nations League victory over Wales on September 24 was therefore Ronaldo’s final appearance for his country.
Ronaldo himself has not yet explicitly announced his international retirement.
Hours earlier, he confirmed that he had left Portugal’s camp following head coach Jorge Jesus’ press conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proença.
“Following the national team manager’s press conference, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team’s training camp,” Ronaldo wrote.
He said he would explain “the truth” behind his departure in due course before wishing Portugal and all of his teammates well. The FPF subsequently confirmed that Ronaldo had left and said preparations would continue with the remaining 24 players.
O Jogo says decision is irreversible
The reported retirement follows several days of tension involving Ronaldo and Jesus.
View this post on Instagram
Ronaldo remained on the bench throughout Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway on Sunday despite having been told he could feature during the second half.
Jesus later acknowledged that Ronaldo had been angry about the decision but said the matter was resolved. Ronaldo then worked separately from the squad on Monday and Tuesday despite not being injured.
The situation escalated on Wednesday when Jesus told reporters that Ronaldo would return to group training, only for the forward to leave Parken Stadium shortly afterward.
Reuters reported that Ronaldo’s private jet was scheduled to take him back to Madrid later that evening.
Proença had also joined Portugal’s camp for talks with Ronaldo and Jesus before the captain announced his departure.
End of a record-breaking international career?
If O Jogo’s report is confirmed, Ronaldo would end a Portugal career that began in 2003.
He holds the men’s international records for both appearances and goals, with 234 caps and 146 goals.
Ronaldo captained Portugal to their first major international trophy at Euro 2016 and was also part of the teams that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
Portugal are due to face Denmark on Thursday without their longtime captain, while Ronaldo has said he will provide a fuller explanation of his departure at a later stage.
