Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation after walking out of the national team's camp, the governing body confirmed on Saturday. The FPF said the suspension was issued on 9 October and that it had marked the case as urgent. The Al-Nassr forward is 41, and the standoff with coach Jorge Jesus now has a formal disciplinary process attached to it.
How it got here
Ronaldo left Portugal's Nations League squad after being an unused substitute against Norway and then learning he would not start against Denmark. He later published a statement of close to 2,000 words on Instagram in which he said Jesus had twice broken his word and called it an absolute breach of trust. He also apologised to team-mates and fans for leaving, said he deserved to be punished, and said he had no plans to retire from international football.
Jesus responded by saying the door remained open for Ronaldo to come back if he chose to. The coach has not commented on the latest statement.
What the rules say
The FPF's own rules are clear on what happens when a player fails to turn up for or walks out on international duty: a ban of between one and six months, plus a fine. No decision has been made yet. FPF president Pedro Proenca told the Portuguese outlet Record that this was a time for calm and composure and that there was a strong desire to have the captain back. "There will be a normal disciplinary process," he said.
That tone matters. It suggests the federation wants to be seen to apply its rules without escalating the row, and leaves room for a short ban or a settlement. It is not a promise, though, and the rules allow a ban of up to six months.
The wider picture
Ronaldo has scored 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal, both men's world records, and helped them to Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles. He considered retiring from international football after the World Cup this summer but decided to continue, and has spoken of reaching 1,000 career goals. He scored his 980th last week in Al-Nassr's 3-0 win over Diriyah.
Opinion at home is split. Portuguese journalist Jose Manuel Delgado told BBC Radio 5 Live that he saw no way back, pointing out that Ronaldo said he would return while also calling Jesus a liar three times in the same statement. Delgado cited polls in Portugal in which only 15 per cent of people backed Ronaldo, and argued that at 41 he no longer has a place in the best Portugal XI. Many fans have also criticised former boss Roberto Martinez for starting Ronaldo throughout the World Cup last summer.
What happens next
The disciplinary process is the next step. Whether Ronaldo is in the squad for the Denmark game in November now depends on the length of any ban and on whether he and Jesus can repair their relationship. For a player who has spent two decades as the face of Portuguese football, it is an uncomfortable position to be in. The federation says it wants him back. The coach has said the door is open. What neither side has yet done is agree on the terms.
Context: Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, Al-Nassr forward and Portugal captain. 146 goals in 234 caps for Portugal. Provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation on 9 October 2026 after leaving the national camp. FPF rules provide for a ban of one to six months plus a fine for walking out on international duty. Portugal coach: Jorge Jesus.
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