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Ronaldo Won’t Start as Portugal Beats Denmark 4-2

By Drooid · Oct 4, 2026, 10:58 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Ronaldo Skips Denmark

Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp after learning he would not start against Denmark.
Portugal defeated Denmark 4-2 in the Nations League without Ronaldo in the lineup.
Portugal also beat Norway 2-1, with Ronaldo remaining an unused substitute.
Coach Jorge Jesus said selection follows the same rules for every player, regardless of status.
The Portuguese Football Federation is planning a special farewell match to honor Ronaldo’s international career.

Summary

Solbakken Condemns Play

Norway began the match without suspended defender Torbjørn Heggem, replacing Orjan Nyland with goalkeeper Egil Selvik.
Coach Ståle Solbakken condemned Norway’s “heel-and-toe” football after consecutive defeats.
The Estádio do Dragão’s 50,033 seats sold out for the Sunday night Portugal-Norway clash.
Seven Portuguese players faced suspension after receiving a second yellow card before the Denmark match in November.

History

Historical Context

Pelé’s 1971 farewell match at Rio’s Maracanã, attended by 120,000 fans, marked the first high-profile retirement showcase for a football star. The Brazilian Football Confederation organized the event, raising $1.5 million for youth programs, and FIFA officially recognized the match as a historic exhibition. Like Pelé’s farewell, today Portugal’s federation plans a celebratory game for Cristiano Ronaldo after his benching in the Nations League, echoing the tradition of honoring iconic players with dedicated fixtures. Such ceremonies reinforce national branding, boost ticket revenues, and set precedents for future star retirements, influencing how federations manage veteran transitions.

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Ronaldo Skips Denmark

Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp after learning he would not start against Denmark.
Portugal defeated Denmark 4-2 in the Nations League without Ronaldo in the lineup.
Portugal also beat Norway 2-1, with Ronaldo remaining an unused substitute.
Coach Jorge Jesus said selection follows the same rules for every player, regardless of status.
The Portuguese Football Federation is planning a special farewell match to honor Ronaldo’s international career.

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