Brief

Portugal face Norway without Ronaldo after his sudden exit

Ronaldo walked out of the Portugal camp on Wednesday, leaving the team to play the Group A4 match in Porto without their star.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:21:34 GMT

Portugal will meet Norway at Estadio do Dragao in Porto on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 8:45 pm local time (18:45 GMT) in a UEFA Nations League Group A4 fixture, according to Al Jazeera Sport.

What happened

The match follows Portugal's 2‑1 win over Norway earlier in the tournament and a 4‑2 victory over Denmark on Oct. 1, both achieved without Cristiano Ronaldo in the lineup. On Wednesday, Ronaldo left the Portugal camp in Copenhagen after coach Jorge Jesus confirmed he would be omitted from the starting eleven for a second straight game. The 41‑year‑old posted a cryptic Instagram message saying he would later explain his reasons for leaving the national team.

What the reports add

Al Jazeera notes that Ronaldo had been on the bench for Portugal's 2‑1 win in Norway and the 1‑0 victory over Wales, and that his departure came after a news conference where Jesus announced his exclusion. The outlet also reports that Spanish daily Marca said Jesus and Portuguese federation president Pedro Proença tried to persuade Ronaldo to stay at Copenhagen airport before he departed.

What was said

Ronaldo’s Instagram post read: “In due course, I will tell the truth to all the Portuguese people about my reasons for leaving the national team, to which I have always been dedicated.” Al Jazeera attributes the quote to Ronaldo himself. Coach Jorge Jesus told reporters that Ronaldo would miss the starting lineup for a second consecutive Nations League match.

How it came about

Portugal entered the tournament as the defending Nations League champions and have kept a perfect record so far, winning against Wales, Norway and Denmark. The team’s captain Bruno Fernandes previously called for unity after Ronaldo’s exit, while earlier Felo News coverage highlighted the coach’s uncertainty over Ronaldo’s role before the Oslo clash and the subsequent matches in Copenhagen and Porto.

Key facts

Portugal will host Norway in Porto on Oct. 4, 2026, at 8:45 pm local time. (aljazeera.com)
Cristiano Ronaldo left the Portugal camp on Wednesday after being told he would not start. (aljazeera.com)
Portugal beat Denmark 4‑2 on Oct. 1 without Ronaldo. (aljazeera.com)
Ronaldo posted an Instagram message saying he will explain his reasons later. (aljazeera.com)