Two days after Cristiano Ronaldo left the Portugal national team headquarters following his benching against Norway, fans erected protest posters in Lisbon and Oeiras featuring the message: “You will always be our captain” directed at the star and “You are not up to the task” aimed at head coach Jorge Jesus, welt.de reported.
The unauthorized displays, which appeared in front of the Portuguese Football Federation’s (FPF) new headquarters and in central Lisbon, lasted roughly 45 minutes before workers removed them. According to a report by Correio da Manhã cited by welt.de, the federation specifically enlisted the Oeiras city administration to take down the placards outside the Cidade do Futebol complex in the Lisbon suburb.
Federation President Seeks Reconciliation Meeting
Proença’s stated aim is to reintegrate the 41-year-old forward into the national squad following his departure earlier in the week.
The tension surfaced when Jorge Jesus left Ronaldo on the bench during last Sunday’s Nations League fixture against Norway. The head coach subsequently announced that the national team’s record appearance maker would remain among the substitutes for the upcoming match against Denmark. In response, Ronaldo packed his bags, left the team camp, and boarded a private jet to Madrid.
Supporters Abuse Partner of João Neves on Social Media
During the summer World Cup in the United States, supporters flooded social media with abuse directed at actor Madalena Aragão, the partner of Portuguese international João Neves, after a fake Instagram post surfaced falsely calling for Ronaldo’s international retirement, welt.de noted.
Upcoming Fixtures and Next Steps for the Squad
Portugal continues its Nations League campaign without its veteran captain as preparations proceed for the match against Denmark. Federation officials have not yet confirmed whether President Proença’s proposed mediation talks between Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus have been scheduled or accepted by either party.
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