LISBON, Portugal — Some supporters of Portugal’s national football team have expressed disappointment following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the team’s training camp amid reports of a disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo left the Portugal camp on Wednesday, shortly after Jesus indicated that the veteran forward would not start Thursday’s Nations League match against Denmark.
The development has prompted questions over Ronaldo’s immediate future with the national team, with some supporters expressing concern about the circumstances surrounding his departure.
João Mário Cunha, a 27-year-old Portugal supporter, said he believed Ronaldo deserved greater consideration given his contribution to the national team.
“I think it is a bit of lack of respect with a player that has put us on the map, so to speak. He has given many trophies to the Seleção. In my opinion, without him we wouldn’t have won half the trophies we won so far.”
Cunha also criticised the circumstances surrounding the announcement that Ronaldo would not start against Denmark.
“For him to leave this way, the statements of the manager shouldn’t have been made public the way they did, so I think it is sad exit. It is also one man down and people won’t be going to the matches as much with him not on the starting 11.”
Ronaldo, 41, has not indicated that he is permanently retiring from international football.
The forward has said that, “in time,” he would “tell the Portuguese people the truth about the reasons” behind his departure from the camp.
His comments have left uncertainty over whether he will return to the national team for the next international break.
Meanwhile, Portugal continued its Nations League campaign without Ronaldo and defeated Denmark 4-2 in Copenhagen on Thursday.
The circumstances surrounding Ronaldo’s departure and his future with Portugal remain subjects of considerable interest among supporters as the national team moves forward.
