Portugal provisionally suspend Ronaldo after he walked out of international camp

The Portuguese Football Federation has provisionally suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and opened formal disciplinary proceedings against him after the captain abandoned the national team camp during the October international break.

Ronaldo walked out following a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus over playing time, having been left out of the squad despite Portugal winning all four of their matches under their new manager. The federation confirmed the proceedings were initiated on 9 October 2026, with the investigation covering events that took place on 7 October.

In a statement, the federation said it had determined a “non-automatic preventive suspension” of the player and attributed “urgent nature” to the process, adding that an automatic preventive suspension had already been in effect until the formal proceedings were established.

Ronaldo subsequently issued his own statement acknowledging he deserved punishment. “The consequence of this act of mine must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation,” he wrote. “I understand that the punishment should have no mitigating factors. I am not just any player; I am team captain, and that constitutes an aggravating factor.”

His admission that his captaincy should be treated as an aggravating circumstance leaves the federation with considerable latitude in determining the length of the ban. Any suspension running beyond a month would see Ronaldo miss Portugal’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Wales.

Jesus, who took charge of the national side after the World Cup, declined to elaborate when asked about the situation by reporters. “I read the statement and now, like I do every day, I’m going to the Federation headquarters to work, to think about the Portuguese national team,” he said. “I have nothing more to say.”

Ronaldo, 41, had been expected by many to retire following his sixth World Cup appearance, but chose to continue his international career. His future with the squad now depends on the outcome of the disciplinary process.