Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal's national team camp in Denmark amid reports of a falling-out with head coach Jorge Jesus. The 41-year-old forward announced his departure on Instagram on September 30, shortly after Jesus denied any disagreement between them following Ronaldo's omission from Portugal's Nations League victory over Norway on September 27.
In his statement, Ronaldo said his decision came “following the national team manager's press conference” and a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation. He also promised to explain his reasons later, writing: “In due course, I will tell the Portuguese people the truth about the reasons behind my departure from the national team, to which I have always been dedicated.” He ended his statement by wishing Portugal and his teammates good luck.
Jesus, who previously coached Ronaldo at Al Nassr, insisted he was responsible for team selection and said there had been no incident between them. Ronaldo's departure raises questions about his immediate international future, despite his record of 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal and his ambition to reach 1,000 career goals.
Whether admired for his record-breaking achievements or discussed for his headline-making personal life, Ronaldo remains one of sport's most recognizable figures. Beyond the pitch, the Portuguese star has built a high-profile lifestyle and attracted his share of controversy. Click through the following gallery to discover more about the life and career of Cristiano Ronaldo.