Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for 30 days and fined €255 for leaving Portugal's national team camp without permission, but the punishment will expire before the country's November internationals, the Portuguese Football Federation announced on 19 October.
The federation's disciplinary council ruled that the 41-year-old captain deliberately breached its regulations by departing the squad's training camp in Copenhagen on 30 September, ahead of a UEFA Nations League match against Denmark.
The suspension took effect on 1 October and runs until 30 October, according to Portuguese public broadcaster RTP. With 19 days already accounted for when the decision was announced, Ronaldo had 11 days remaining.
The ruling means the Al-Nassr forward will be eligible for Portugal's matches against Denmark on 14 November and Wales on 17 November, although his inclusion remains subject to selection by head coach Jorge Jesus.
Dispute over playing time
Ronaldo left the national squad following a disagreement with Jesus over his role in the team.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner had remained on the bench during Portugal's victory against Norway on 27 September and subsequently learned he would not start against Denmark.
In a public statement on 6 October, Ronaldo accused Jesus of failing to honour assurances about his playing time, describing the situation as a breakdown of trust.
Jesus denied having made such an agreement but left open the possibility of Ronaldo returning to the national side.
According to details of the disciplinary decision reported by A Bola and Euronews, Ronaldo departed the training camp before a scheduled session at Copenhagen's Parken Stadium.
He arranged transport through a member of the national team's support staff without first informing federation or team officials that he intended to leave.
Ronaldo later telephoned Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença and explained that he did not feel emotionally able to remain with the squad.
His departure prompted the federation to open disciplinary proceedings and impose a provisional suspension on 9 October.
Disciplinary council considers mitigating factors
The federation's disciplinary council concluded that Ronaldo had intentionally committed an offence under Article 160(1) of its disciplinary regulations.
The provision allows for suspensions of between one and six months when a player leaves national team duties without justification.
Ronaldo received the minimum suspension of 30 days, together with a fine of €255.
During the proceedings, the striker asked the council to consider his previously clean disciplinary record, contributions to Portuguese football and cooperation with the investigation.
His representatives submitted information about his sporting achievements, including his five Ballon d'Or awards and honours awarded by Portugal.
The panel also considered Ronaldo's public statement of 6 October, in which he apologised for his actions and acknowledged that he deserved disciplinary consequences.
The council nevertheless identified aggravating circumstances, including his position as national team captain and the considerable public attention generated by his departure.
It concluded that his leadership responsibilities required a particularly high standard of conduct.
November return remains possible
Ronaldo's punishment is expected to end without forcing him to miss any further Portugal matches.
The decision leaves Jesus to determine whether the veteran forward should return for the final two fixtures of Portugal's Nations League group campaign.
Proença has publicly expressed a desire to reintegrate Ronaldo once the disciplinary matter is resolved.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward remains Portugal's most-capped men's international and leading goalscorer, with 234 appearances and 146 goals.
He helped Portugal win the 2016 European Championship and the Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
Portugal are scheduled to host Denmark on 14 November before travelling to Cardiff to face Wales three days later.
