Ronaldo handed 30-day Portugal ban and £214 fine after Jorge Jesus walkout

Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for 30 days by the Portuguese Football Association and fined €255 (£214) after walking out on the national squad during October’s international window.

The Al-Nassr forward, 41, clashed with new head coach Jorge Jesus over his role in the team and left the Portugal camp in Copenhagen before their Nations League match against Denmark. Ronaldo had been an unused substitute against Norway in the previous fixture, a decision he said triggered the dispute after accusing Jesus of twice breaking his word about his place in the side.

The disciplinary council did not clarify whether time already served under a provisional suspension — which began on 9 October — would count toward the 30-day sanction, leaving it uncertain whether Ronaldo will be available for Portugal’s next Nations League fixtures. Their campaign resumes against Denmark on 14 November.

Ronaldo later issued a public apology for failing to acknowledge supporters after the Norway match and for leaving his teammates, stating he was prepared to accept whatever punishment the federation handed down.

The fine of £214 is widely regarded as negligible given Ronaldo’s reported earnings, drawing attention to the limited financial deterrent available to national associations in such disputes. The length of the ban and its precise timing remain the more consequential elements of the sanction.

Ronaldo had previously considered retiring after the 2022 World Cup but chose to continue his international career. His future with the national team under Jesus now appears uncertain, with the federation’s disciplinary process doing little to resolve the underlying tensions between player and coach.