Portugal coach Jorge Jesus faced angry fans at an airport on Friday, a day after Cristiano Ronaldo walked out of the national team's training camp, leaving the future of the 41-year-old forward's international career in doubt.
Ronaldo left the camp on Wednesday evening, shortly after Jesus said at a press conference that he would not start Thursday's Nations League match against Denmark. Ronaldo, Portugal's record international appearance-maker and all-time top scorer, has said on Instagram that "in time" he will tell the Portuguese people the truth about his reasons. Dutch broadcaster NOS reports it is widely assumed that his reserve role was the final straw. Jesus has said the decision was made for tactical reasons. Spanish newspaper Marca reported that Jesus and the president of the Portuguese football federation tried to change Ronaldo's mind at the airport that night, without success.
On the pitch, Portugal carried on without him and won 4-2 in Copenhagen. João Cancelo, Vitinha, who scored his first international goal, and João Félix, who struck three minutes from time, were among the scorers, while Denmark's goals included one from Rasmus Højlund, who celebrated in Ronaldo's trademark style. The result was Portugal's third win in as many games in their Nations League group. They lead with nine points. The holders have won the competition twice, more than any other nation. Jesus called it his team's best performance so far but declined to discuss Ronaldo afterwards.
Off the pitch, the mood was more heated. When the squad arrived at the airport in Porto, in northern Portugal, some fans confronted Jesus, with one accusing him of having an ego "as big as the Eiffel Tower". NOS reports that police stepped in and escorted the squad to the team bus. Billboards also appeared near Benfica's stadium and the federation's offices reading "Thank you Cristiano Ronaldo, forever our captain", and accusing the coach of an inflated ego. Supporters in Copenhagen also displayed banners backing the player.
Some fans were more sorrowful than furious. One 27-year-old supporter, João Mário Cunha, told the Associated Press that Ronaldo had put Portugal on the map and that the coach's comments should not have been made public. He said fewer people might attend matches without Ronaldo in the starting line-up. Many fans hope the two sides will reconcile before the next international break.
According to Portuguese and Spanish media cited by NOS, the federation is working to repair relations and wants a "respectful and dignified farewell" rather than a bitter end to his career. Whether Ronaldo is willing remains unclear.