Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a 30-day suspension for leaving Portugal’s national team camp, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) announced on Monday.
The 41-year-old forward will also pay a fine of €255 ($286) after apologising for his departure and acknowledging his mistake.
Ronaldo abruptly left Portugal’s camp on September 30 amid a dispute over his expected playing time during the UEFA Nations League. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner subsequently accused head coach Jorge Jesus of going back on his word about giving him opportunities to play.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star had earlier apologised to supporters in October, saying he would accept whatever punishment the federation imposed.
Why Ronaldo Left Portugal’s Camp
Ronaldo’s departure followed two incidents involving his expected role in Portugal’s matches.
He was asked to warm up as a substitute during the game against Norway on September 27 but was not brought onto the pitch. He later learned that he would not start Portugal’s match against Denmark on October 1.
Following his departure, Ronaldo criticised Jesus, claiming the coach had broken his promise about giving him playing time.
However, the forward insisted that he had no intention of retiring from international football and remained committed to representing Portugal.
“I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team,” Ronaldo wrote in a social media post shortly after leaving the camp.
Federation Cites Ronaldo’s Apology
The FPF disciplinary committee said it had imposed the minimum penalty allowed under its regulations.
The federation’s rules provide for suspensions ranging from one to six months for players who leave the national team without authorisation.
According to the disciplinary committee, Ronaldo’s apology and expression of remorse were considered when determining the punishment.
In his October 6 statement, the Portugal captain acknowledged his mistake and said he was prepared to accept the consequences.
His suspension took effect from the date of Portugal’s match against Denmark. According to the original report, he had already served 19 days of the ban by the time the federation announced its decision and was expected to complete the suspension by the end of October.
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Portugal Qualify Despite Ronaldo’s Absence
Portugal continued their Nations League campaign without their record goalscorer and won all four matches during his absence, qualifying for the quarter-finals with two games remaining.
The team are scheduled to host Denmark on November 14 before travelling to face Wales on November 17 in their final two Nations League Group A4 fixtures.
Ronaldo is expected to have completed his suspension by the time those matches take place.
The forward remains Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer and the record appearance-maker in men’s international football, making his absence a significant talking point despite the team’s results.
Ronaldo Focuses on Training at Al Nassr
In a press conference several days after the dispute, Jesus said Ronaldo could be selected for Portugal if he was playing for his Saudi Arabian club, Al Nassr, and remained interested in representing his country.
Following the FPF’s announcement, Ronaldo did not directly address the suspension on Instagram.
Instead, he shared a photograph of himself preparing to train with Al Nassr, accompanied by the caption: “Putting in the work”.
The post suggested that the forward was concentrating on his club commitments while the disciplinary matter was being resolved.
