Spanish media say Ronaldo lost to his own ego after Portugal walkout
Spanish journalist Manu Carreño declared this week that Cristiano Ronaldo has lost to only two rivals in his career: Leo Messi and his own ego. The comment came after Ronaldo abandoned Portugal's national team training camp in Copenhagen following a disagreement with manager Jorge Jesus. Carreño, speaking on Spanish television, reflected on Ronaldo's legacy of five Bolas de Ouro and his achievements with Portugal and Real Madrid, but concluded: "There were only two rivals he couldn't handle — Messi, with whom he disputed the throne of world football, and the other, whom he never beat, his own ego. There he lost clearly."
The fallout has dominated headlines in Portugal and Spain. David Sánchez, a presenter on MARCA, argued that CR7 is "obsessed" with reaching 1,000 career goals and that he is leaving the national team "through the back door," in contrast to Messi's planned farewell with Argentina. The comparison gained traction as Messi prepares to say goodbye to Argentina in Buenos Aires, while Ronaldo's exit from the Portuguese camp marks an uncertain chapter for the 41-year-old's international future.
What happened inside the Portugal camp
Ronaldo left the national team camp in Copenhagen on 30 September 2026, shortly after Jorge Jesus held a press conference ahead of Portugal's Nations League match against Denmark. According to reports, Jesus acknowledged he had not fulfilled an agreement with Ronaldo regarding playing time in the previous match against Norway, but made clear that "the manager is in charge of the team." Ronaldo then announced his departure on social media: "After the press conference and a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I decided to leave the national team camp. At the appropriate time, I will tell the truth to all Portuguese people about the reasons for my departure."
The Portuguese Football Federation president, Pedro Proença, later described the incident as a "misunderstanding" that must be resolved internally. Proença stated that Ronaldo "is part of this group" and "will be here whenever the manager wants him," while emphasizing that conversations between coaches and players are a technical matter in which the FPF president does not intervene. Jesus, for his part, left the door open for Ronaldo's return, saying the forward is eligible for selection "if he wants to return," though he maintained that his "principles as a coach are non-negotiable."
Mixed reactions from Portuguese fans
The incident has divided opinion among supporters. Near Estádio do Dragão in Porto, ahead of Portugal's match against Norway, fans expressed contrasting views. João Ferreira, 23, wearing a Ronaldo jersey, said he bought his ticket hoping to see the captain: "It's sad. We know he won't play forever, and each opportunity could be one of the last."
Others backed the manager's authority. Paulo Moreira, 47, from Maia, said: "For me, the manager decides. Cristiano can't give what he gave five or 10 years ago, and at 41, it's normal he doesn't play every match."
A poll conducted by Pitagórica for TVI and CNN Portugal between 1 and 2 October revealed that 46% believe it is time for Ronaldo to end his international career, against 41% who want him to continue. On the question of who has more reason in the conflict, 42% sided with Jorge Jesus, while only 14% supported Ronaldo.
The controversy also had a digital impact: the Portuguese national team's Instagram profile lost 2.1 million followers in 48 hours, while Ronaldo's personal account gained half a million.
Voices from Portuguese football call for resolution
Several prominent figures urged calm. Henrique Calisto, president of the National Association of Football Coaches, called for a "peace summit" between Ronaldo, Jesus, and Proença to end what he called a "soap opera." António Simões, a Benfica legend, warned that the FPF cannot simply yield to Ronaldo's status: "He cannot be the owner of a national team that belongs to everyone. This man is egolatric — everyone has to obey his whims."
Former FPF president Gilberto Madail suggested Jesus made an error by making promises to Ronaldo about playing time, calling it excessive deference. Meanwhile, Jorge Mendes, Ronaldo's former agent, was speculated to have prevented such an implosion if still involved.
Ronaldo returns to Saudi Arabia
By Monday, Ronaldo was back at Al Nassr's training center in Saudi Arabia, photographed smiling and joking with teammates — a contrast to his final days with the national team. The club welcomed him on social media, posting: "The greatest athlete... back in action with the team."
The Portuguese Football Federation hopes the matter can be resolved before the next international window in November. Proença said: "Cristiano Ronaldo represents the greatest symbol of Portugality. He is in the national team on his own sporting merit and will always be part of this group whenever he is technically capable." Jesus echoed that Ronaldo remains "a symbol of Portugal," though the manager's message was clear: the door is open, but the manager decides who plays.
