Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a 30-day suspension and fined €255 by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) after a disciplinary panel found him guilty of deliberately leaving Portugal’s national-team camp without authorisation.
The decision, announced on Monday, October 19, 2026, brings a formal conclusion to the disciplinary proceedings against the 41-year-old captain, who left Portugal’s training base in Copenhagen on September 30 ahead of the Nations League encounter with Denmark.
The federation’s disciplinary council upheld the charge against the Al-Nassr forward under Article 160(1) of its disciplinary regulations, imposing a 30-day ban alongside the financial penalty.
Ronaldo’s departure followed a reported disagreement with national team coach Jorge Jesus over his role in the squad. The dispute arose after the forward was left unused in Portugal’s match against Norway, with Ronaldo reportedly unhappy over what he considered broken assurances about his involvement.
Jesus denied making a formal agreement with the player but subsequently indicated that a return to the national team remained possible.
The disciplinary case was opened on October 9, following reports concerning Ronaldo’s departure. The federation’s ruling treated the offence as deliberate and took into account the responsibilities associated with his position as national-team captain.
Ronaldo later apologised for leaving his teammates and for failing to acknowledge supporters after the Norway match. He also indicated his willingness to accept the consequences of his actions and remain available for future selection.
Despite the suspension, his participation in Portugal’s next international fixtures is not necessarily ruled out. The incident occurred weeks before the November matches, but the disciplinary decision did not clearly specify which matches or activities the ban covers or whether the period already served under provisional suspension counts towards the final sanction.
Portuguese reports have indicated that Ronaldo could be available for Portugal’s November fixtures against Denmark and Wales, subject to the applicable calculation of the suspension and the coach’s selection decision.
The €255 fine accompanies the suspension, while the disciplinary ruling underscores the obligations attached to representing the national team, including for its most prominent player.
Ronaldo remains one of Portugal’s defining football figures, but the ruling establishes a formal disciplinary consequence for his departure from the squad. His next national-team appearance will depend on the implementation of the sanction and the technical plans of the Portuguese coaching staff.
