October 3, 2026
The Portuguese Football Federation is moving to contain the current crisis with star Cristiano Ronaldo, and work to secure a “dignified end” to his international career with the “Brazil Europe” team, following his recent departure from the team’s camp against the backdrop of severe tension with technical director Jorge Jesus.
According to a report published by the Spanish newspaper “Marca”, the federation officials intend to take official steps next week, with the approval of Ronaldo, to bring the views of the parties concerned, including coach Jesus, closer together, with the aim of normalizing relations and closing the page of disagreement.
Federation officials confirm that the great contributions that Ronaldo (41 years old) made to Portuguese football throughout his career necessitated that his conclusion with the national team represent a model that is appreciated and respected, far from the repercussions of the recent crisis.
The Portuguese Federation had issued a brief statement, last Wednesday, after the player left the camp, in which it stressed the absolute focus of the mission on the upcoming entitlements and matches, before new trends aimed at containing the crisis emerged.
For his part, the national team captain commented on his social media accounts, saying: “In due time, I will tell all Portuguese the truth about the reasons that prompted me to leave the national team to which I have always devoted myself. Now is the time to wish success to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception.”
In light of these developments, the national team players adopted a policy of media silence. Defender Renato Vega said after the match against Denmark, saying: “I am very close to Chris, and he knows that I love him very much, but I was told that I cannot talk about him.”
At the public level, the capital, Lisbon, witnessed the appearance of banners supporting Ronaldo, most notably on the road between the “Al Noor” Stadium and the airport, where phrases were raised praising the player’s career and criticizing the technical director, saying that he “was not up to the responsibility.”
