Portugal Suspends Cristiano Ronaldo and Opens Disciplinary Case After National Team Walkout

The Portuguese Football Federation has provisionally suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and opened disciplinary proceedings against him for walking out on the national team, the federation confirmed Saturday.

“Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, following a decision by the Non-Professional Section on October 9, 2026,” the federation said in a statement. The case was referred to its Disciplinary Investigation Commission, designated as urgent, and the federation said its findings would remain confidential until the investigation concludes.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo left the Portugal camp during the international window in a dispute with new head coach Jorge Jesus over a lack of playing time. He was an unused substitute in Portugal’s Nations League win over Norway, and accused the coach of breaking promises about his role. In the three games in which Ronaldo was either an unused substitute or absent, Portugal won all three, and his replacement, Gonçalo Ramos, scored three times.

An apology and a promise of farewell games

Ronaldo ended the international break with a long post on Instagram, where he asked Jesus to acknowledge a mistake in asking him to warm up on the sidelines in Norway and then not sending him onto the field. He wrote that he expected a suspension under the federation’s rules, but promised his fans “we will have one or more farewell matches.”

Earlier in the week, Ronaldo apologized for failing to acknowledge supporters after the Norway game and for leaving his teammates, saying he would accept whatever punishment resulted. “I have already apologized, but I know that actions must have consequences,” he wrote. “Anyone in football as I am knows that, regardless of each person’s status, the rules are the same for everyone.”

Under the federation’s disciplinary regulations, a player who abandons or fails to appear without justification at a national team training session, match or activity can face a suspension of one to six months, plus a fine. Ronaldo did inform the federation that he was leaving, but it was not clear whether that decision would be considered justified under the regulations. No final punishment has been announced.

Ronaldo has since returned to club action, scoring the opening goal Friday as Al Nassr beat Diriyah 3-0 in the Saudi Pro League — the 980th goal of his career, according to ESPN.

Reporting based on coverage by ESPN and CNN.