Cristiano Ronaldo Suspended by Portugal Following National Team Departure
Cristiano Ronaldo Temporarily Suspended by Portuguese Football Federation
Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) after he left the national team amid a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus.
The FPF announced on October 9, 2026, that disciplinary action has been initiated against Ronaldo. The process is urgent, and the 41-year-old star remains suspended until a final decision on his punishment is reached.
Details Behind the Suspension
The suspension follows a dispute where Ronaldo accused Jesus of breaking promises about his playing time during Portugal's UEFA Nations League matches. Ronaldo said they agreed he would rest for games against Norway and Denmark to manage his fitness, but on the day of the Norway game, Jesus informed him he would play for 30 minutes.
Although Ronaldo warmed up in the second half, he never entered the game. Jesus explained that since Portugal was leading 2-1, he decided not to sub him on. This contradicted what Ronaldo expected and led to a tense meeting between player and coach.
Ronaldo was unhappy that Jesus did not mention their agreement during his post-match press conference. After leaving the team camp, Ronaldo issued an apology to his teammates and stated that he will accept any sanctions from the FPF. He also denied retirement plans and expressed hope for one or more farewell appearances.
The Portuguese Football Federation must assess the consequences of my actions and punish me for them, Ronaldo said on social media. I believe the penalty should not be reduced. I am not just an ordinary player; I am the captain of the team, and that is an aggravating factor. I have already apologized, but I know that actions have consequences. Anyone in the world of football, like me, knows that the rules are the same for everyone, regardless of individual standing.
Upcoming Matches and Recent Performance
Portugal will next compete on November 14 and 17 in the UEFA Nations League against Denmark and Wales respectively.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, quickly returned to form at club level, scoring the 980th goal of his career during Al-Nassr’s 3-0 victory over Diriyah in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.
