Cristiano Ronaldo could face a six-month international football ban after leaving Portugal's Nations League camp early, with his sister claiming he deserved more respect.
Ronaldo storms off in Oslo
The 41-year-old appeared as an unused substitute for Portugal's Nations League clash with Norway at the weekend. Ronaldo was spotted storming off the pitch of the Ullevaal Stadion as a result of Jorge Jesus' choices.
Reports suggest that Ronaldo held a crisis meeting with head coach Jesus, as well as the president of the Portuguese Football Federation (PFF) in the aftermath of his dramatic exit in Oslo.
Ronaldo announces exit
Ronaldo took to social media to confirm that he had left Norway's Nations League camp on Wednesday evening. He wrote: "Following the press conference with the National Team Coach, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have made the decision to leave the National Team training camp."
Ronaldo sparked concerns in his statement, as he added: "In due course, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that motivated my departure from the national team, to which I have always been dedicated. Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception."
Jesus plays down rift
The Portuguese head coach has attempted to downplay any ideas of a rift between himself and Ronaldo. He told the media: "It seems like there was an issue between us, but there was no issue. I'm the one who makes the decisions and everybody knows that."
Sister's outburst and potential ban
Taking to social media, Elma Aveiro suggested that her brother's international career is over. She wrote: "CR7 deserved MORE RESPECT. The national team deserved more structure. Portuguese journalism deserved more competence and less speculation. As for the Portuguese people...they don’t deserve to have the best at anything. We are envious, disrespectful and ignorant, and we deserve to return to the mediocrity we always had in football before CR7. Thank you for everything, CR7. You deserved MORE!"
As per ESPN Brazil, Ronaldo could face a six-month international football ban as a result of his actions. The PFF's rulebook reads: "The player who, regularly called up, abandons or does not unjustifiably attend training, game or activity of the national teams or related to the sports representation of the FPF or Portugal, is sanctioned with a suspension of one to six months and, incidentally and if he is a professional player, with a fine between 500 and 1,000 euros."
Leao takes No. 7 shirt
In the wake of Ronaldo's departure, Rafael Leao has been handed the iconic No. 7 shirt for Portugal's remaining Nations League games. They next take on Denmark at 7.45pm on Thursday evening, before a reverse with Norway at the same time on Sunday, October 4.
