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On Tuesday night, Jorge Jesus and Cristiano Ronaldo held talks that appeared to ease the tense atmosphere within the national team camp, but, contrary to what the coach claimed, there is indeed a serious issue.
By late Wednesday afternoon, the 41-year-old turned to Instagram to announce that he had left Portugal’s training camp in Scandinavia.
“After the press conference given by the national coach, and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team’s training camp,” Ronaldo posted.
“In due course, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national side, to which I have always been dedicated,” he added, wishing “good luck” to his team-mates, “without exception”.
For the third day in a row, Ronaldo missed training with the national team, leaving Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, the venue for Thursday’s Nations League clash between Portugal and Denmark. The Portugal captain departed in a Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) van at a time when all his colleagues, except the injured Francisco Conceição, were already working out on the pitch.
At the press conference held minutes before the five-time Ballon D’or winner left, Jesus had assured reporters Ronaldo would take part in today’s training session, stressing that his absence from the previous day’s practice was solely due to gym work.