Cristiano Ronaldo loses starting support in Portugal poll

Cristiano Ronaldo’s position in Portugal’s starting team has come under pressure after a supporter poll backed Gonçalo Ramos and João Félix to continue in attack against Denmark. The result adds to scrutiny around the captain after he was left out of Portugal’s team for the full match against Norway.

Portugal beat Norway 2-1 in the Nations League on Sunday, with Ronaldo remaining an unused substitute. The poll, published on Wednesday, found that supporters did not consider the 41-year-old deserving of a starting place for the Denmark fixture, instead preferring Ramos and Félix in the forward line.

Ronaldo went straight towards the dressing-room tunnel after the final whistle, missed Portugal’s training session on Tuesday and left the national team camp on Wednesday. He had initially agreed with coach Jorge Jesus not to play against Norway, but was later asked to appear for the final 30 minutes before that plan was changed. Ronaldo also chose to use a better-equipped gym at his hotel rather than the facilities in Malmö.

The developments have prompted speculation that his international career may be nearing its end. Ronaldo continued with Portugal after the team’s last-16 World Cup exit, despite surprising analysts, and said in an August interview that the current year could be his final one in football as he pursues 1,000 career goals.