Cristiano Ronaldo faces six-month ban after walking out of Portugal training camp

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is facing a potential ban of between one and six months, alongside a financial penalty, after walking out of the national team's training camp, a development confirmed by both the 41-year-old Al Nassr forward and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).

Under the FPF's Disciplinary Regulations, the breach carries immediate and severe disciplinary consequences:

"Any player who, having been officially called up, walks out of or fails to attend training, a match, or any national team activity without justification, or any event related to representing the FPF or Portugal, shall be punished with a suspension of one to six months and, where a professional player is concerned, an additional fine between 5 and 10 UC [roughly €500 to €1,000, at €102 per unit of account]."

Article 160, paragraph 2, of the regulations further stipulates that "an absence or walkout triggers an automatic provisional suspension of the player under the terms set out in these regulations."

The fallout comes after days of mounting tension. Having started in the 1-0 opening-round victory over Wales in Nations League Group A4, the former Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus forward remained an unused substitute during the subsequent 2-1 win over Norway in Oslo. At the final whistle, a visibly frustrated Ronaldo headed straight down the tunnel, snubbing the rest of the squad as they went over to applaud the travelling Portugal supporters.

On Tuesday, the veteran forward restricted his workload to the hotel gym, taking no part in on-pitch training despite turning up at the training ground. The seriousness of the situation prompted FPF president Pedro Proença to fly out to Copenhagen, cancelling his planned trip to Ponta Delgada for the Under-21 clash against Gibraltar. Ronaldo's departure was finalized shortly after Jorge Jesus's pre-match press conference.

Addressing the media, the 72-year-old Portugal head coach fielded just two questions on the matter, attempting to play down the rift ahead of the final session: "Ronaldo did not refuse to train. That would be impossible. He will train today."

Jesus also confirmed that Gonçalo Ramos would start against Denmark and reasserted his authority over the dressing room: "In principle, Gonçalo Ramos will start. As for Ronaldo, I don't know whether he will come on or not. I don't know what will happen tomorrow [Thursday] in the match. If I need him, he plays; if I don't, he won't play. Status doesn't give any player special treatment. Status is respect for their career. I always discuss the plan with the player, but ultimately I make the decisions. They know that. Anyone who has worked with me knows, everyone knows, even the presidents know. At a club, the president is in charge; in the team, I am. It's the same with the players."

Portugal's all-time record appearance maker and goalscorer with 234 caps and 146 goals, Ronaldo captained the national side to glory at Euro 2016 as well as the 2019 and 2025 Nations League tournaments. The defending champions, who top Group A4 with six points, face Denmark in Copenhagen on Thursday under Ukrainian referee Mykola Balakin, before hosting Norway on Sunday.