A surprise move from Ronaldo: a mysterious step throws Portugal's plans into disarray
What happened?
Cristiano Ronaldo flies to the Saudi capital Riyadh tomorrow, Sunday, after walking out of the Portugal national team camp in Denmark amid his growing feud with coach Jorge Jesus. The move hints that the Portuguese star wants to shut the door on this international break and get back to his duties at Al-Nassr, rather than rush into any resolution of the crisis that has shaken the national team.
His return to Riyadh lands at a delicate moment. Ronaldo quit the Portugal camp after Jesus confirmed he would not start against Denmark. The player then revealed he had made his decision following a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença, pledging to explain his reasons at the appropriate time.
Trouble had been brewing since the match against Norway. Ronaldo sat on the substitutes' bench for the entire game despite taking part in the warm-ups, while Gonçalo Ramos struck the winner in Portugal's 2-1 victory.
Tension then boiled over between player and coach. Jesus announced that Ronaldo would again miss the starting XI against Denmark, insisting he would not change his technical decisions for the sake of any individual.
Portuguese newspaper "Record" report that Ronaldo's trip to Riyadh on his private jet, on the very day Portugal face Norway during the international break, carries a meaning that stretches well beyond a simple return to Saudi Arabia. By resuming his normal routine and heading back to his club, he may be ruling out any quick fix and leaving the matter to run its course over the coming weeks.
Jesus and the federation president had tried and failed to talk him round. They drove to the airport after he left the camp, but Ronaldo boarded his private jet bound for Madrid.
Doubts hang over his international future too, even though nobody has officially announced his retirement from the Portugal setup.
For now, the crisis is far from settled. Reports claim Jesus is ready to hold fresh talks with Ronaldo in a bid to end the dispute, but the Portugal captain has yet to respond to the invitation.
