A new incident involving the Portuguese national team, with Cristiano Ronaldo leaving the field during the match against Denmark, shortly after Jorge Jesus had stated that the captain would train as usual.

According to the Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Ronaldo ultimately did not appear on the field for Portugal’s training session at “Parken” in Copenhagen, despite the national team coach’s explicit assurance just minutes earlier.

In fact, as the report states, the 41-year-old forward left the stadium in a black van belonging to the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), accompanied by two FPF officials, while most of his teammates had already taken the field. The only exception was Francisco Conceição, who is dealing with an injury.

This development is even more intriguing in light of Jesus’s earlier statements. The Portugal coach had maintained that Ronaldo would participate normally in training, explaining that he had worked out at the gym the previous day.

“Yesterday, he didn’t refuse to train. Francisco Conceição didn’t train because he was injured, Félix didn’t train to recover from fatigue, and Chris worked out in the gym. He’ll train today. It’s the fourth day, so he’ll train,” he had stated emphatically.

In fact, Jesus had sent a clear message regarding Ronaldo’s role on the team, emphasizing that no player is going to change his decisions.

“I’m the coach. I told him he wouldn’t play and that I’d put him on the bench. If I need him for 30 minutes, he’ll play. If not, he won’t. No player will ever change my mind. Not him, nor anyone else in soccer. Not even a club president. Never, not a chance,” he stated emphatically.

At the same time, the Portuguese coach confirmed that Gonçalo Ramos will start against Denmark, leaving Ronaldo on the bench.

The situation has caused tension within the Portuguese delegation, with the president of the federation, Pedro Proença, having already traveled to Scandinavia to meet with Jesus and Ronaldo. The meeting took place on Wednesday morning at the team’s hotel in Malmö and, according to reports, proceeded in a calm atmosphere.

So far, no official explanation has been given for Ronaldo’s latest absence from training. The only certainty is that, just a few hours before the crucial match against Denmark, the situation involving Portugal’s captain is taking a new turn.

@SICNoticias

Cristiano Ronaldo left in a van and did not train with the team.

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The Portugal captain’s private plane is scheduled to depart Madrid, Spain, late this afternoon for Copenhagen, Denmark.

Later this Wednesday, Ronaldo’s plane is scheduled to depart Copenhagen for Madrid,…

— The Nassr Tribune (@AlNassrTribune) September 30, 2026

*photo source: AP