Ronaldo skips Portugal training after Nations League bench snub sparks rift with Jorge Jesus

Cristiano Ronaldo has absented himself from Portugal squad training following his omission from Sunday’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway, with reports in Portugal claiming the 39-year-old is upset with new head coach Jorge Jesus.

The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed Ronaldo has focused solely on gym work since the Norway match, without rejoining group sessions. Federation president Pedro Proença reportedly travelled to speak directly with both Ronaldo and Jesus after claims emerged that the forward was discontented with his benchwarming role against Norway — though the federation would only confirm that Proença was accompanying the squad in Sweden ahead of Thursday’s Nations League fixture against Denmark.

Jesus, who took charge of the national team after Roberto Martínez’s departure following the World Cup, had explained before the Norway game that he wanted to manage Ronaldo’s workload carefully during an unusually congested international window, with Portugal playing four matches in 11 days. The coach said he had intended to give Ronaldo minutes against Norway but that match circumstances prevented it. In the immediate aftermath, Jesus acknowledged the situation by saying he would “talk to him”.

Ronaldo had started Portugal’s 1-0 win over Wales the previous Thursday, playing until the 67th minute. He responded to the controversy on Tuesday by posting a photo on Instagram wearing his Portugal kit alongside the national flag and a heart emoji — a gesture widely interpreted as a show of continued commitment to the cause.

The timing is particularly sensitive given Ronaldo’s stated ambitions. Speaking to reporters just last week, the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football — currently on 146 goals for Portugal — outlined twin targets for this campaign.

“One goal is to achieve both — reaching 1,000 goals and the national team trying to win this Nations League,” he said. “It’s a new era with manager Jorge Jesus, whom we all know well; I just hope things go well for him.”

Ronaldo also reflected on what reaching the 1,000-goal milestone in a Portugal shirt would mean to him. “Scoring my 1,000th goal for the national team would be the culmination of something — a beautiful story,” he said. “It wouldn’t be the end of it, but it would be a beautiful story.”

Portugal currently lead Nations League Group A4 with six points from two matches, three clear of Denmark and Norway, with Wales rooted to the bottom without a point. Whether Ronaldo will be fit — or willing — to feature against Denmark on Thursday remains unclear.