Ronaldo gets token fine for leaving Portugal national team

The Portuguese Football Federation has punished Cristiano Ronaldo for his demonstrative departure from the national team on the eve of the Nations League match against Denmark. According to the SID agency, the financial penalty for the 41-year-old forward turned out to be almost symbolic, and he has already served most of his suspension.

Why Ronaldo left the national team

Ronaldo left the team's camp in late September, a day before the game in Denmark. He later explained that he left in protest: in his words, coach Jorge Jesus had broken his word twice. First, contrary to a promise, he kept him on the bench for the entire match against Norway, and then he failed to explain this properly at the press conference, although, as the player claims, they had agreed to do so.

What punishment was imposed

After the end of the training camp, the federation opened disciplinary proceedings and provisionally suspended the player. The federation clarified that Ronaldo was automatically suspended the day after his departure, on September 30. According to SID, the term of the punishment is counted from that date, so the player has already served most of it.

The financial penalty looks symbolic against the striker's earnings: at the Saudi club Al Nassr he reportedly earns four million euros a week, roughly 400 euros a minute.

What's next for the national team

Earlier, Ronaldo apologized in a statement for not going over to greet the fans after the match in Norway and for leaving his teammates. He promised to accept any punishment and to be at the coach's disposal once it ends. Federation president Pedro Proença told reporters that everyone at the federation wants Ronaldo back in the national team once the matter is closed. The longtime Portugal captain is the world record holder for appearances and goals for a national team: 234 games and 146 goals.

Despite the noise around Ronaldo, Portugal won all four matches of the record-long international window and secured a place in the Nations League quarterfinals ahead of schedule. In November, Jesus's team will play Denmark at home and Wales away.

Around Prague, based on reporting by sport.cz