Cristiano Ronaldo’s sudden withdrawal from the Portuguese national team is the focus of the European sports press.
From Portugal and Spain to Italy and France, newspapers are focusing on the 41-year-old captain’s decision, his relationship with Jorge Jesus, and especially his statement that, when the time is right, he will reveal exactly what happened.
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In Portugal, the story dominates the front pages.
“A Bola” features Ronaldo from behind across its entire front page, reporting that he is leaving the national team and describing the development as a “sad farewell.” The newspaper emphasizes that the captain did not train, left the squad, and traveled to Madrid on a private plane, while placing particular emphasis on Jorge Jesus’s statements regarding who makes the decisions on the team.
“O Jogo” takes a similar line, writing that CR7 is “turning his back on the national team” and reporting on a story that is causing a huge stir.
“Record” focuses even more on Ronaldo’s relationship with the national team coach, presenting his departure as the result of tension with Jesus. In fact, it points out that the coach’s press conference was what led the captain to his final decision to pack his things and leave Copenhagen.
In Spain, *Marca* features Cristiano Ronaldo on its front page and uses a particularly striking headline regarding his departure from Portugal. The Spanish newspaper focuses on the timing of the decision—immediately following Jesus’s press conference—as well as on Ronaldo’s statement that “at the right time” he will reveal the truth to the Portuguese.
In Britain, Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure is also a major focus of the sports press. The “Daily Telegraph” reports that the Portuguese star left the national team after being benched, noting that this development could even signal the end of his long international career.
The *Times* features a photo of Ronaldo as he left the squad and highlights his intense dissatisfaction, as well as his statement that “when the time comes, he will tell the whole truth.”
Similarly, the “i Paper” reports that Ronaldo left the Portuguese training camp, emphasizing that he has pledged to reveal later exactly what happened, while his future with the national team remains uncertain.
The Italian press is also giving the story extensive coverage. “Gazzetta dello Sport” describes it as a dramatic turn of events and reports that Ronaldo is leaving Portugal, promising to explain his reasons soon. In another report, it mentions a rift with Jesus and the national team.
The story has also reached France, with “L’Equipe” covering the sudden turn of events and noting the acceleration of the Portuguese star’s departure.
*Source of main photo: AP
