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Ronaldo leaves camp as federation threatens sanctions

By Drooid · Oct 3, 2026, 10:35 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Ronaldo Leaves Camp

Coach Jorge Jesus said Cristiano Ronaldo would not start versus Denmark, prompting the 41-year-old to leave the national team camp.
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes urged unity and called Ronaldo the greatest Portuguese icon.
Portugal beat Denmark 4-2 in the Nations League despite Ronaldo’s absence.
Portugal remains unbeaten at the top of Group A4.
The federation’s Instagram lost more than 1 million followers within 24 hours of the walkout.

Summary

Ronaldo Faces Suspension

The Portuguese Football Federation can suspend for one to six months and fine players who abandon training.
If deemed unjustified, Cristiano Ronaldo faces an automatic preventive suspension under the same code.
Ronaldo, with 979 career goals, says reaching 1,000 goals remains a priority before retirement.
The federation has not commented on the sanction, leaving his international future uncertain.

History

Historical Context

The 2006 World Cup final saw France captain Zinedine Zidane head-butt Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the 110th minute; FIFA responded on 11 July with a three-match international ban and a CHF 7,500 (?€4,800) fine, the largest penalty then imposed on a star player. That precedent underpins today’s threat to Cristiano Ronaldo with a possible month-long suspension and fines, illustrating federations’ growing willingness to discipline even the most celebrated athletes.

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Ronaldo Leaves Camp

Coach Jorge Jesus said Cristiano Ronaldo would not start versus Denmark, prompting the 41-year-old to leave the national team camp.
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes urged unity and called Ronaldo the greatest Portuguese icon.
Portugal beat Denmark 4-2 in the Nations League despite Ronaldo’s absence.
Portugal remains unbeaten at the top of Group A4.
The federation’s Instagram lost more than 1 million followers within 24 hours of the walkout.

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