Ronaldo’s departure from Portugal comes just before FIFA’s UEFA Nations League clash between the two European sides and the Portugal captain has been unable to attend the national team camp, reportedly due to pressure from his coach Jorge Jesus and FPF president Pedro Proença.
Ronaldo was too stubborn to play in Portugal’s last session at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on Wednesday, according to Spanish website Marca. The 41-year-old then went back to the team hotel, picked up his kit and headed to Madrid.
Jesus and Proença were said to have gone to Copenhagen airport with Al-Nassr to try to convince him to stay with the team. But they failed and Ronaldo went on with his move. The veteran striker later spoke about the situation on Instagram, stating that he had accepted his decision to leave after consulting with the Portuguese Football Federation president.
Ronaldo said he will “explain” his “motivation” to depart the national team “in due course” and wish Portugal and his teammates ” good luck ” in the upcoming contest.
The incident comes after a string of heightened interest in Ronaldo’s training in Portugal this week. He wasn’t included in the Norway squad changes on Sunday after Jesus’s first option was to bring on the striker as a substitute, but he didn’t end up on the bench.
Ronaldo then worked out as an individual in the gym on Monday and Tuesday. The player wasn’t reported to be injured, raising more questions about his status in the squad. Ronaldo’s training refusal had been denied by Jesus before the proposed session took place on Wednesday, as he stated there were no reports of it before the session.
