Portugal ‘fail with last-minute airport dash’ to stop Cristiano Ronaldo leaving squad

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Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) President Pedro Proenca and manager Jorge Jesus failed in a last-minute dash to Copenhagen airport to persuade captain Cristiano Ronaldo against leaving the squad, Spanish newspaper Marca reported.

Ronaldo stated on social media on Wednesday that he was departing the Portugal camp in Denmark following talks with Proenca, throwing his international future into doubt ahead of Thursday’s Nations League match against Denmark in Copenhagen.

Portugal’s record goalscorer said he would explain his reasons in due course, while the FPF confirmed that the 41-year-old forward had departed the squad.

Ronaldo had been scheduled to train with the squad at Parken Stadium on Wednesday, but exited before the session got underway.

Jorge Jesus was adamant there was no rift between himself and Ronaldo (Reuters)

He went back to the team hotel to gather his belongings, Marca reported, before heading to the airport for a private flight to Madrid. Jesus and Proenca pursued him there in an effort to convince him to stay in Copenhagen, but failed to alter his decision, the report added.

The FPF disciplinary code specifies that national team players who leave without permission face a potential suspension of one to six months from the national side.

The FPF did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the report by Marca.

Only hours earlier, Jesus had stated that Ronaldo would take part in Wednesday’s training session and denied any rift between them.

He acknowledged a private discussion with the Al-Nassr forward on Tuesday, after the player was left out of Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway on Sunday.

He added that Ronaldo was angry with him, but said that as far as he was concerned it was “water under the bridge”.

However, Ronaldo confirmed his departure on Wednesday, as he wrote on social media: “After the National Team Coach’s press conference, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I made the decision to leave the National Team camp.

“In due time, I will tell the truth to all Portuguese people about the reasons that motivated my departure from the national team, to which I have always dedicated myself.

“Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception.”