The end for Cristiano

2 hours ago

7 min read

After Portugal were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup by Spain in July, the Portuguese Football Federation decided to make a change. Their coach Roberto Martinez left and was replaced by Jorge Jesus.

This was a surprising choice for many people. Jesus is a very experienced Portuguese coach, but he is best known for his club work — he has managed Sporting Lisbon, Benfica, Flamengo in Brazil, and, most recently, Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. In fact, Jesus managed Ronaldo at Al Nassr before getting the Portugal job.

From the very beginning, Jesus made his position clear. He told journalists that Ronaldo would not receive any special treatment just because he was a legend. "Every player has to earn their place on merit," Jesus said. "That's how I treat everyone." For Ronaldo — who has been the undisputed captain and star of Portugal for almost twenty years — these words were significant. They suggested that things would be different under the new coach.

What Happened This Week — Day by Day

Wednesday 24 September: Wales — Subbed Off

Portugal's first UEFA Nations League match under Jorge Jesus was at home against Wales. Ronaldo started the game and wore the captain's armband as usual. Portugal won 1-0. However, in the 67th minute, Jesus substituted Ronaldo off and replaced him with Gonçalo Ramos, the younger striker. Ronaldo did not look happy. He had not scored, and being substituted before the 90 minutes was a sign that Jesus was willing to manage him like any other player.

Sunday 28 September: Norway — Left on the Bench

Portugal's second match was away to Norway in Oslo. This was a bigger game — Norway are a strong team with Erling Haaland as their striker. Before the match, Jesus announced his starting line-up. Ronaldo was not in it. For the first time in 18 years, Cristiano Ronaldo sat on the bench for the entire duration of a Portugal match. He did not come on at all. Gonçalo Ramos started in his place and scored the winning goal. Portugal won 2-1.

Jesus explained his decision calmly. He said Ronaldo had played almost 70 minutes against Wales just three days earlier and could not start two games so close together at the age of 41. He described it as "load management" — protecting an older player's body over a busy schedule. He also said Ronaldo would be available to play against Denmark on 1 October.

Ronaldo said nothing publicly. He posted one word on Instagram after the Norway win: "Together." But behind the scenes, Portuguese media reported that the situation was becoming tense.

Wednesday 1 October: The Breaking Point

Portugal were preparing for their third Nations League match, against Denmark, in Malmö, Sweden. The night before the game, Jesus held a press conference. He confirmed that Gonçalo Ramos would start again against Denmark — not Ronaldo.

This was the moment that broke the relationship. Shortly after the press conference, Ronaldo asked to speak with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Proença. After that conversation, Ronaldo made his decision. He walked out of the team's training camp, boarded his private jet, and flew to Madrid. The rest of the Portugal squad arrived at their hotel — without Ronaldo and without Jesus, whose whereabouts were also briefly unknown.

Ronaldo announced his departure on Instagram. He wrote: "After the press conference of the national team coach, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the national team camp. In due time, I will tell all the Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that motivated my departure from the national team, which I always dedicated myself to. Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception."

The statement is careful and controlled. Ronaldo does not directly blame Jesus or anyone else. But the message is clear: he is angry, he feels he has been treated unfairly, and he wants to explain his side of the story in the future.

Jesus Responds — and Denies a Crisis

After Ronaldo's departure was confirmed, Jesus gave a short response to journalists. He initially denied that Ronaldo had left, before the federation confirmed otherwise. He then said there had been no argument or incident, only a conversation. He said: "I can promise what I want. The truth is what it is."

He also insisted that the team would remain focused on the Denmark match. Portugal played Denmark later that evening without Ronaldo. Because of UEFA rules, the federation had to give Ronaldo's squad number to another player immediately after he left.

What Does This Mean?

Is This the End for Ronaldo and Portugal?

Many people in Portugal and across the football world are now asking whether Ronaldo has played his last game for his country. He had already said after the World Cup that he had not yet decided about his international future. But this walkout — just two days before a match — has made that question much more urgent.

Portuguese newspaper O Jogo ran the headline "CR7 turns his back on the national team." Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro even became involved, reportedly speaking separately to Ronaldo, Jesus, and federation president Proença, which shows how significant this story is in Portugal. Football and national identity are deeply connected there, and Ronaldo has been the face of that identity for two decades.

Ronaldo currently has 233 caps and 146 goals for Portugal — both world records for a men's international player. If this is truly the end, it is a sad and messy finish to an extraordinary international career.

Could Ronaldo Face Punishment?

Leaving a national team camp without permission before a match is a very serious step. The Portuguese Football Federation has not yet said what action, if any, it will take. There is a possibility that Ronaldo could face a suspension or fine. Some football experts believe the federation will handle the situation carefully — they do not want a public war with the country's greatest ever player. Others believe rules must be followed, regardless of who breaks them.

The Bigger Picture

This story is about more than just one argument. It reflects a deeper question about how long a great player can remain at the centre of a national team. At 41, Ronaldo is the oldest outfield player to regularly feature for a top European nation. Gonçalo Ramos is 24, faster, and scored the winning goal against Norway. Jorge Jesus has to think about the future of the team, not just about the past.

At the same time, Ronaldo has given Portugal everything for twenty years. He has carried the team through tournaments when others around him were not good enough. To be told — even indirectly — that you are no longer the first choice is painful for any proud competitor. And few people in football history have been more proud or more competitive than Cristiano Ronaldo.

What happens next is unclear. Ronaldo has promised to explain his reasons "in due time." Portugal must continue their Nations League campaign. And the rest of the football world is watching one of the most dramatic chapters in the career of a truly extraordinary player.

Glossary

These words are from the article. Learn them before or after you read.

walk out / walkout

To leave suddenly, usually because you are angry or upset. A walkout is when someone does this.

head coach

The main manager of a sports team, responsible for tactics and selecting players.

merit

The quality of being good enough to deserve something. "Earning your place on merit" means being selected because you are playing well, not because of your reputation.

substitute / subbed off

A player who replaces another player during a match. To be "subbed off" means you are taken off the field and replaced.

load management

Carefully controlling how much a player trains and plays, to protect their body and avoid injury, especially over a busy schedule.

cap

An appearance for a national team. A player with 233 caps has played for their country 233 times.

undisputed

Accepted by everyone without argument. The "undisputed captain" means no one questioned that he should be captain.

federation

The official organisation that runs football in a country. The Portuguese Football Federation organises the national team.

due time

At the right moment in the future. "In due time" means "when I am ready" or "when the moment is right."

suspension

A punishment that stops a player from taking part in matches for a fixed period of time.

competitor

A person who has a very strong desire to win and to be the best.

campaign

A series of matches in a competition. Portugal's Nations League campaign is all the matches they play in the Nations League this season.

Vocabulary Exercise

Choose the correct word or phrase from the box to complete each sentence. Each word or phrase is used once.

1. Jorge Jesus is Portugal's new __________________ . He is responsible for choosing the team and deciding the tactics.

2. Jesus told journalists that every player — including Ronaldo — would be selected only on __________________ , based on how well they were playing.

3. In the match against Wales, Ronaldo was __________________ in the 67th minute. He was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.

4. Against Norway, Jesus said he kept Ronaldo on the bench as part of __________________ — protecting the 41-year-old's body over a very busy schedule.

5. For 18 years, Ronaldo had been the __________________ captain of Portugal — nobody ever questioned that he should wear the armband.

6. Each time Ronaldo plays for Portugal, he earns another __________________ . He now has 233 in total — a world record.

7. The Portuguese Football Federation is the official __________________ that runs football in Portugal and employs the national team coach.

8. Ronaldo's sudden departure from the training camp was described as a __________________ — he left quickly and without the coach's agreement.

9. Some football experts believe Ronaldo could face a __________________ for leaving the camp without permission before a match.

10. Portugal must now continue their Nations League __________________ without Ronaldo, starting with the match against Denmark.

Answers Below.

Answer Key

1. head coach

2. merit

3. subbed off

4. load management

5. undisputed

6. cap

7. federation

8. walkout

9. suspension

10. campaign