This is why I think people are missing the real issue. It was never simply about Ronaldo being benched or Ronaldo's Ego.
Ronaldo had already considered leaving Portugal after the World Cup. He stayed after speaking with the FPF president and Jorge Jesus because both made it clear they still valued what he could contribute to the NT.
Then came the confusion over his role, the Norway situation, and finally Jorge Jesus’ press conference. What seems to have angered Ronaldo most was not the tactical decision itself, but the way the situation was presented publicly especially when Jesus appeared to frame it as though Ronaldo was demanding control over the team, rather than acknowledging the confusion created around the agreed plan.
And that distinction matters.
Ronaldo has never said he must start every game. He has repeatedly said that when Portugal no longer needs him, he will leave.
If the coach wants to manage him differently, fine. That is the coach’s job. But then be straight with him. Don’t ask him to stay, tell him he is still valuable, give him one understanding of his role and then publicly present the fallout as though the problem is Ronaldo’s ego.
And there is another part of this conversation people conveniently ignore: Ronaldo’s enormous commercial value to Portugal.
Portuguese marketing experts have explicitly warned that Ronaldo’s departure would cost the FPF significant media attention and revenue. One IPAM executive said Ronaldo has been responsible for helping the federation secure numerous sponsorship deals and generate substantial revenue for more than 20 years.
The numbers show just how extraordinary his global reach is. During the 2026 World Cup, a study by Nossa Sports and Felton estimated Ronaldo’s 29 social-media posts generated €85.2m in economic audience value, compared with €68.1m from 565 posts by the Portuguese national team. Another analysis estimated Ronaldo accounted for 54% of the total economic audience value despite producing just 0.7% of the content analysed.
@GaleaGalilei Cristiano se quería retirar despues del mundial y la federación y el entrenador lo convencieron de quedarse para la NL. Una jugada para puro vender entradas. Y parece que tienes memoria corta, los argentinos odiaban a messi hasta que gano el mundial. No compares tu :s
A mi me tienen explicar por que le estan tirando mierda a Criatiano gente a la que su ídolo ya se ha retirado 3 veces de su maldita selección. Malparidos.
Mi teoría es que a Cristiano lo metieron a jugar el primer partido para que la gente viera que estaba ahí y despues sentarlo para que la gente siguiera yendo a los juegos y se pudieran vender las entradas.
🚨💣 BREAKING: Cristiano Ronaldo announces he has LEFT PORTUGAL NATIONAL TEAM CAMP. 🇵🇹
“After the National Team coach’s press conference, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the National Team training camp”.
“In due time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to 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”.