Cristiano Ronaldo backed by Lisbon billboards after row

Portugal’s 4-2 victory in Denmark has not eased the dispute surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo. Support for the captain intensified in Lisbon after his abrupt departure from the national-team camp, placing coach Jorge Jesus under growing pressure and leaving Ronaldo’s international future uncertain.

Large billboards appeared near Benfica’s Estádio da Luz, Lisbon airport and the Portuguese Football Federation’s facilities in Oeiras. One side thanked Ronaldo for his service and reaffirmed his status as Portugal’s captain. The other displayed a black-and-white image of Jesus alongside accusations that he had failed, disrespected the captain and shown excessive ego.

The billboard outside the federation’s headquarters was removed because it did not have municipal authorisation, but its message spread across social media and television. The protest followed Ronaldo’s frustration with his treatment during the Scandinavian camp. He had spent more than 30 minutes warming up in Norway without playing, then objected to Jesus’s public explanation of the episode.

Ronaldo, who has 234 Portugal caps, declined to train and returned to Spain to consider his future. Federation president Pedro Proença is trying to reopen dialogue with the player’s camp, while the federation weighs whether to suspend him for abandoning the team. Ronaldo’s possible return for the November fixtures remains unresolved.