Ronaldo leaves Portugal camp after non-selection against Norway

Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s national team camp after speaking with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença. His departure followed coach Jorge Jesus’s decision not to use him against Norway.

In a social media statement, Ronaldo said he would explain in due time why he had left and wished Portugal and his teammates well. He did not give a date for further comment.

Jesus denied there had been a training dispute, saying Ronaldo’s absence from earlier sessions was planned and that the forward had not refused to train.

The coach said he had intended to use Ronaldo from the bench if the match required it, but decided against bringing him on based on his reading of the game. Jesus said selection decisions were his responsibility.

Ronaldo’s reasons for leaving remain unstated. Reports of emergency meetings and tensions over his non-selection have not been confirmed in the supplied material.