Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for 30 days and fined €255(Sh.44,036) by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) after leaving the national team’s camp following a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus over his playing time.
The federation announced the punishment on Monday, October 19, 2026, after its disciplinary council found the 41-year-old forward guilty of deliberately breaching its regulations by leaving the national team gathering without sufficient justification.
The ruling followed Ronaldo’s departure from Portugal’s camp in Copenhagen on September 30, ahead of the team’s UEFA Nations League match against Denmark on October 1.
The federation said Ronaldo had committed an offence under Article 160(1) of its disciplinary regulations, which covers unjustified absence from national team activities.
Ronaldo had already addressed the controversy on Instagram on October 6, apologising to his teammates and supporters and accepting responsibility for leaving the camp.
The dispute began during Portugal’s September international fixtures, when Ronaldo remained an unused substitute in the team’s 2-1 victory over Norway on September 27.
The forward later accused Jesus of breaking his word over an agreement concerning his playing time. Ronaldo said they had discussed managing his participation during the international break, but claimed the coach subsequently told him he would play for 30 minutes against Norway.
Ronaldo warmed up during the match but never entered the pitch.
The disagreement intensified ahead of Portugal’s next match against Denmark after Ronaldo learned he would not start. He also alleged that Jesus failed to honour an understanding about how he would explain the decision publicly.
Ronaldo subsequently left the team’s camp in Copenhagen.
Jesus denied reaching an agreement with Ronaldo over guaranteed playing time but left open the possibility of selecting him again.
The FPF opened disciplinary proceedings on October 9 after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the departure. Its disciplinary council later upheld the charge against Ronaldo in full.
Ronaldo addressed the dispute in a lengthy Instagram statement published on October 6, before the federation announced its final decision.
The Portugal captain defended his concerns about the coach’s handling of the situation but acknowledged that leaving the camp was a mistake.
“Despite the absolute breach of trust in the coach’s word, as anyone who witnessed these conversations can attest, I should not have done it,” Ronaldo said.
He added: “The responsibility is entirely mine. I apologize to the Portuguese people once again.”
Ronaldo also acknowledged that his position as captain carried additional responsibility and said he expected the federation to impose a punishment.
“I have already apologized, but I know that actions must have consequences,” he said. “Anyone in football as I am knows that, regardless of each person’s status, the rules are the same for everyone.”
The suspension took effect on October 1, the date of Portugal’s match against Denmark. However, the federation’s announcement did not clarify which matches or activities the ban covered or whether time already served under the provisional suspension counted towards the final 30 days.
Ronaldo had served 19 days by October 19 and was expected to become available for Portugal’s next Nations League match on November 14, when the team is scheduled to face Denmark. Portugal will then travel to face Wales on November 17 in its final Group A4 fixtures.
Ronaldo’s eligibility will remain subject to the applicable suspension terms, while his inclusion in the squad will depend on Jesus’ selection decision.
Despite the fallout, Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença has expressed a desire to see Ronaldo return to the national team once the matter is resolved.
Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record goalscorer and appearance-maker. His departure had raised questions about his relationship with Jesus, although the coach has not ruled out selecting him again.
The forward also made clear in his October 6 statement that he did not intend to retire from international football.
He said: “Therefore, if I am physically fit, playing for my club, hopefully scoring goals, then after serving whatever suspension is imposed on me, I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team.”
