A growing crisis involving Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo and his national team has taken a new turn. Ronaldo departed from the team's Copenhagen training camp for Madrid, despite attempts by coach Jorge Jesus and Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Bueynessa to persuade him to stay. This development has raised questions about Ronaldo's future with the team. The incident occurred after a press conference and a conversation between Ronaldo, Jesus, and Bueynessa.
The issue began with Portugal's match against Norway, where Ronaldo was benched despite warming up for about 30 minutes. This led to his frustration. Jesus acknowledged that Ronaldo was upset but claimed the matter was behind him. According to Spanish journalist Ido Aguirre, a friend of Ronaldo, a private meeting was held where Jesus apologized to Ronaldo for not playing him and promised a public apology.
However, as per Aguirre, Ronaldo felt Jesus didn't fulfill his promise, which intensified his anger. This account remains attributed to Aguirre and has not been officially confirmed by Ronaldo or the Portuguese Football Federation. The situation indicates a deeper issue within the team. The incident has sparked widespread speculation about Ronaldo's international career.
In a significant move, reports from "MARCA" indicate that Jesus and Bueynessa made a last-ditch effort at Copenhagen airport to convince Ronaldo to stay, but he remained resolute in his decision to leave. Ronaldo then boarded his private plane to Madrid. This turn of events has led to further uncertainty about his future with the Portuguese national team.
The Portuguese Football Federation announced an updated squad list, assigning Raphinha the number 7 jersey, which has long been associated with Ronaldo. This change has fueled speculation about Ronaldo's international future, especially since he has not officially announced his retirement from the team.
Ronaldo's sister, Elma Aveiro, has publicly supported her brother, stating that he deserved more respect and criticizing the Portuguese media and fans. Her comments reflect the strong emotions surrounding the incident. The situation remains unresolved as Portugal prepares for upcoming matches against Denmark and Norway in the European Nations League.
The developments have put Ronaldo's future with the national team in doubt. His departure from the training camp, failed attempts to bring him back, and the reassignment of his iconic jersey number have significant implications. The football world waits for Ronaldo's next move and an official statement regarding his international career.
Key points
- The crisis between Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese national team has escalated.
- Ronaldo left the team camp despite attempts to persuade him to stay.
- The iconic number 7 jersey has been reassigned to Raphinha.
