Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for 30 days and fined £215 by the Portuguese FA after his walkout from Portugal's national team camp.
The disciplinary ruling was announced on Monday evening in a 28-page document, bringing a formal conclusion to a case that began after Ronaldo left the squad on September 30 in Denmark. The punishment is short enough that it should not keep the 41-year-old out of Portugal's next Nations League matches, which are scheduled for next month against Denmark and Wales.
Why the dispute started
The issue dates back to Portugal's 2-1 win over Norway in Oslo, when Ronaldo was an unused substitute. He said he had been told he would be brought on and had warmed up before Jorge Jesus changed his mind. After the second win over Norway, Jorge Jesus said the door remained open for Ronaldo, but the situation had already escalated.
Last month, Ronaldo posted a lengthy letter and said he wanted to be spared any leniency. He also described the episode as a breach of trust, which helped frame the case for the Portuguese FA disciplinary council as more than a simple squad disagreement.
What the punishment means
The fine is small on its own, especially for a player who is reported to earn £488,000 per day from his Al Nassr salary and whose 2026 earnings are projected by Forbes to reach £225m. The more important part is the suspension itself, even if it is limited to 30 days. It confirms that the Portuguese FA viewed the walkout as a disciplinary matter, while also leaving Portugal with the possibility of having its captain back in time for the next round of matches.
Ronaldo's international record remains significant, with 146 goals in 234 caps, and his standing in Portugal means any absence draws attention. For now, though, the main takeaway is straightforward: the Portuguese FA has punished him, but not in a way that creates a long-term absence from the national team.
