Following the FPF’s announcement, Ronaldo did not directly respond to the decision on Instagram.

LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed a 30-day suspension for leaving the Portuguese national team camp, the country’s football federation (FPF) announced on Monday.

The 41-year-old forward abruptly left Portugal’s camp on September 30 during the UEFA Nations League, later accusing coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his promise to give him playing time.

Ronaldo apologised to supporters earlier in October, saying he would accept any punishment imposed by the federation.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was also fined 255 euros ($286). He received the minimum penalty under the federation’s regulations, which stipulate suspensions of between one and six months for leaving the national team.

Ronaldo’s departure followed two incidents. He was asked to warm up as a substitute against Norway on September 27 but was not brought onto the pitch. He subsequently learned that he would not start against Denmark on October 1.

The suspension took effect from the day of the Denmark match, meaning Ronaldo had already served 19 days of his ban at the time of the announcement. He was due to complete the suspension by the end of October.

The FPF disciplinary committee said it had taken into account “the remorse shown in the statement” Ronaldo issued on October 6, in which he admitted his mistake and expressed his willingness to accept punishment.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer and record appearance-maker in men’s international football.

Portugal, meanwhile, won all four of their Nations League matches in his absence and qualified for the quarter-finals with two games to spare.

Portugal were scheduled to host Denmark on November 14 before travelling to face Wales on November 17 in their final two Nations League Group A4 matches, by which time Ronaldo was expected to have completed his suspension.

Ronaldo Accuses Coach of Breaking His Word

In a social media post shortly after leaving the camp, Ronaldo accused Portugal coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word about giving him playing time in Nations League matches. However, he insisted that he had no intention of retiring from international football.

“I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team,” Ronaldo wrote.

He said Jesus had gone back on his word about bringing him on against Norway. Ronaldo also alleged that, during a press conference before the Denmark match, the coach had failed to mention several points they had agreed upon in an earlier conversation.

One of the points Ronaldo said had been agreed upon was that Jesus had “made a mistake in asking someone of the stature of Pele or Maradona to warm up and then not sending him on in the match”.

Jesus, speaking several days later, said he would select Ronaldo for international duty if the forward was playing for his Saudi club, Al Nassr, and remained interested in being called up.

Ronaldo Focuses on Training After Suspension

Following the FPF’s announcement, Ronaldo did not directly respond to the decision on Instagram.

Instead, he shared a picture of himself preparing to train with Al Nassr, accompanied by the caption: “Putting in the work”.

The suspension and fine marked the disciplinary consequences of Ronaldo’s departure from the national team camp, while his public comments maintained that he remained committed to representing Portugal.