Portugal reach Nations League quarterfinals as Fernandes defends Ronaldo after camp exit
In short
Portugal has won all four of its Nations League matches and reached the quarterfinals even after Cristiano Ronaldo left the team's training camp during the international window, Yonhap reported. Bruno Fernandes, who took over the captain's armband and led the side to a 4-2 win over Denmark, told the Portuguese broadcaster RTP3 that Ronaldo remains the greatest symbol of the national team and the country and deserves respect. Ronaldo, 41, said in an Oct. 1 social media post that he decided to leave after the national team coach's press conference and a conversation with the federation president, and that he would explain his reasons later.
Why it matters
Ronaldo is one of the sport's most widely recognised players, so his exit from Portugal's camp and the handover of the captaincy to Fernandes are followed well beyond Portugal, with local coverage framing the episode as a test of whether the squad stays united. Portugal's results so far — four wins and a quarterfinal place — indicate the team has kept performing without him, but Ronaldo has said he will explain his reasons later, leaving the dispute around his departure unresolved.
Key facts
- Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal's national team training camp during the international window, and Bruno Fernandes took the captain's armband. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Ronaldo said in an Oct. 1 social media post that he decided to leave the camp after the national team coach's press conference and after a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation. [ 1 ]
- Ronaldo said he will tell all Portuguese people the truth about why he left when the time comes. [ 1 ]
- Portugal coach Jorge Jesus said Ronaldo would not start in the Nations League match against Denmark. [ 1 ]
- Fernandes said Ronaldo is the greatest symbol of the national team and the country and deserves respect. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Portugal beat Denmark 4-2 with Fernandes as captain. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap reported Portugal has won all four of its Nations League matches and advanced to the quarterfinals. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Some Portuguese fans turned against the coach and put up billboards in support of Ronaldo, according to Yonhap. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal's national team training camp during the international window, and Bruno Fernandes took the captain's armband. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Fernandes said Ronaldo remains the greatest symbol of the national team and the country and deserves respect. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Portugal has won four straight Nations League matches; Yonhap reported the team has reached the quarterfinals. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Portugal beat Denmark 4-2. [ 1 ]
- Ronaldo said he would explain later, to the Portuguese people, why he left the camp. [ 1 ]
Still unclear
- Ronaldo's reasons for leaving the camp, beyond the coach's decision not to start him against Denmark. Ronaldo said on Oct. 1 that he would tell the Portuguese people the truth about why he left 'when the time comes', and the documents do not give those reasons.
- Whether Ronaldo has left the national team for good. Yonhap reported that Fernandes spoke with Ronaldo in the hope he would not hastily leave the team entirely, but neither document states Ronaldo's future plans.
- The circumstances of the departure, which the outlets describe differently. Yonhap reported Ronaldo's own account that he decided to leave after speaking with the Portuguese football federation president, while Chosun Ilbo described the departure from camp as leaving without authorisation.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yonhap publishes Fernandes's remarks from an interview with the Portuguese broadcaster RTP3, in which he defends Ronaldo (Oct. 4). [ 1 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports Fernandes calling Ronaldo the greatest symbol of the team and country (Oct. 5). [ 2 ]
- Yonhap reports Portugal has won all four Nations League matches and reached the quarterfinals without Ronaldo (Oct. 5). [ 3 ]