Cristiano Ronaldo has something to say.
The soccer legend, 41, walked out of the Portugal team’s training camp on Wednesday, September 30, hours after Coach Jorge Jesus announced in a press conference that he would not start during the reigning champion squad’s October 1 match against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League competition, per AP.
“After the press conference of the National Team coach, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the National Team camp,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner wrote on Instagram on September 30.
“In due time, I will tell all the Portuguese about the reasons that motivated my departure from the national team, which I always dedicated myself to,” the Al Nassr striker added. “Now it’s time to wish good luck to Portugal and all my teammates, without exception.”
In the press conference, per AP, Jesus had stated that the “rules are the same for everyone” and that if “we need [Ronaldo] to play, he’ll play. If not, he won’t.”
The all-time leading scorer for international men’s soccer had been benched during Portugal’s winning match against Norway on September 27.
On October 1, the team reassigned his iconic No. 7 jersey — which Ronaldo has famously worn since 2008 — to teammate Rafael Leão, Sports Illustrated reported. Per UEFA rules, the outlet noted, the team has no choice but to give someone else the number if the soccer star wasn’t playing.
“The Portuguese Football Federation reports that Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo has left the national team’s training camp in Copenhagen,” they said in a statement, per The Athletic.
“Preparation for the matches against Denmark and Norway, the latter to be played at the Estádio do Dragão, will continue as planned, with the remaining 24 players called up. The entire delegation remains completely focused on the National Team’s upcoming commitments and on achieving the defined objectives.”
Portugal faces off against Denmark today in Copenhagen and will play Norway again in Porto, Portugal, on October 4.
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