Portugal provisionally suspend Cristiano Ronaldo and initiate disciplinary proceedings but country's chief says 'we want him back'

Ronaldo, 41, left the squad during the recent international break following a disagreement with head coach Jorge Jesus over his playing time. The incident has since escalated into a public dispute, with the Portugal captain accusing the manager of going back on his word.

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) confirmed on Saturday that the case had been referred to its disciplinary investigation committee, with the findings to remain confidential until the process is concluded.

A statement from the FPF read: "The initiation of disciplinary proceedings against Cristiano Ronaldo, by deliberation of the Non-Professional Section, of October 9, 2026, with the purpose of the investigation of any disciplinary relevance of the facts participated on October 7.

"Without prejudice to the automatic preventive suspension to which he was subject until the date of establishment, the non-automatic preventive suspension of the player was determined, and the urgent nature was attributed to the process."

However, Pedro Proenca, the FPF president, said there is a desire from all parties for Ronaldo to return to the fold.

Speaking at a training complex in Porto on Saturday, according to Portuguese media, Proenca said: "The federation president spoke, the national team coach spoke, the team captain spoke, the players spoke.

"This is a moment for tranquillity, for serenity. We are all sitting at the table. There is a great desire to have our captain back. There will be a normal disciplinary process. The independent bodies will evaluate."

Proenca added: "What we are registering at this moment is a desire, first from the FPF, to have the captain back with us quickly, a desire already expressed by our national team coach, who said that as long as he is fit to play, we will have our captain with us, and something fundamental: a great desire for our captain to return to the national team, a place where he says he is, and rightly so, happy.

"Therefore, having said this, this is the moment to appeal for tranquillity, for serenity. We are doing our job because the desire is collective."

Portugal's record appearance-maker and leading goalscorer, Ronaldo has earned 234 international caps and scored 146 goals for his country.

The national team won all four of their UEFA Nations League games during the recent international break.

The dispute centred on an alleged agreement to manage Ronaldo's fitness by resting him for the matches against Norway and Denmark.

According to the forward, Jesus subsequently told him he would feature for 30 minutes against Norway, but he remained an unused substitute despite warming up during the second half.

Ronaldo later said that the coach had failed to honour their understanding, prompting a breakdown in trust between the pair.

In a lengthy statement published on Instagram earlier this week, Ronaldo offered his version of events, apologised to supporters for his actions and acknowledged that disciplinary consequences were possible.

"The consequence of this act of mine must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation," Ronaldo wrote. "I understand that the punishment should have no mitigating factors. I am not just any player; I am team captain, and that constitutes an aggravating factor."

He also challenged Jesus to recognise what he described as a broken promise over his involvement in the Norway match.

The former Real Madrid forward maintained that his departure should not be interpreted as retirement from international football.

He reiterated his commitment to Portugal and indicated that supporters would eventually have the opportunity to see him play one or more farewell matches.

Despite the disagreement, Portugal enjoyed a successful international break without relying on their captain, with Goncalo Ramos capitalising on Ronaldo's absence or limited involvement to score three times.

The federation's investigation will now determine the consequences of Ronaldo's unsolicited departure.

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