The 41-year-old left the national team’s camp after a clash with head coach Jorge Jesus. Reports in Portugal say the ban will end well before Portugal’s next matches.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has suspended Cristiano Ronaldo for 30 days and fined him €255 (£214) for leaving the national team’s training camp. The 41-year-old walked out after a dispute with new head coach Jorge Jesus during the last round of international fixtures. The source says it is unclear whether the ban will cover Portugal’s next Nations League games, starting against Denmark on 14 November. Further reporting in Portugal suggests it will not.
The suspension
RTP, citing the Lusa news agency, reports that the suspension runs from 1 to 30 October 2026. If so, Ronaldo would be eligible for Portugal’s next two matches, against Denmark on 14 November and Wales on 17 November, if Mr Jesus recalls him. The disciplinary council did not specify in the material supplied whether time already served under a provisional suspension counted towards the 30 days.
Spanish radio network Cadena SER reports that it did, and that Ronaldo had served 19 days by Monday, leaving 11. The punishment therefore does not start a fresh 30 days away from international football from 19 October.
Under Article 160 of the FPF’s disciplinary regulations, a player who unjustifiably abandons national-team duties can be suspended for between one and six months. Ronaldo received the minimum. Cadena SER says his acknowledgement of responsibility cut the maximum applicable in his case to three months. The federation concluded that he had deliberately committed a disciplinary offence.
Why he left
Ronaldo left Portugal’s camp in Copenhagen about three weeks ago. According to the ruling, reported by Cadena SER, he did not tell or seek permission from the relevant federation or team officials before leaving on 30 September. He later told FPF president Pedro Proença he was not in the right emotional state to stay with the squad.
The source says Ronaldo accused Mr Jesus of twice breaking his word about his role in the team. Sky Sports reports that his complaint arose after he warmed up for about half an hour during the 2-1 win over Norway on 27 September but was not brought on. Mr Jesus disputes that there was any binding agreement on playing time. He has indicated that Ronaldo could return if the matter is resolved and he is fit to play.
Efforts to patch things up
Mr Proença said on 10 October that the federation, Mr Jesus and Ronaldo himself all wanted him back, according to RTP. A reconciliation does not guarantee selection, which remains the coach’s decision. The key question is now whether Mr Jesus picks him, not whether the ban prevents it.
Ronaldo chose to keep playing after the World Cup despite having considered retirement, the source says. He has won 234 caps and scored 146 international goals, and is Portugal’s record appearance-maker and goalscorer. He captained the side to the 2016 European Championship and to the Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
