Portugal’s national football team has reportedly lost more than one million Instagram followers within 24 hours of Cristiano Ronaldo leaving the squad amid speculation over tensions with head coach Jorge Jesus.
The team’s official Instagram account reportedly had around 24.9 million followers before Ronaldo’s departure. By Thursday evening, that figure had fallen to approximately 23.8 million.
Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp on Wednesday following comments made by Jesus about his decision not to play the veteran forward against Norway.
Jesus said he had told Ronaldo that he would start the match on the bench and could be brought on if required, but ultimately decided against using him.
The Portugal coach also insisted that Ronaldo, or any other player, would not influence his decisions as manager.
Following the press conference, Ronaldo announced that he had decided to leave the national team’s training camp after speaking with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he would reveal the reasons for his departure to the Portuguese public “in due course” and wished his teammates and Portugal success.
The circumstances surrounding his exit have prompted widespread speculation about the relationship between Ronaldo and Jesus.
Former football columnist Piers Morgan, who has a longstanding relationship with Ronaldo, also suggested that the explanation given so far may not tell the full story. He said on X that the reason for Ronaldo’s departure would become clear when the player speaks about it himself.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s iconic No. 7 shirt was handed to Rafael Leão less than 24 hours after his departure.
Leão wore the number during Portugal’s Nations League match against Denmark, which Portugal won 4-2. Ronaldo’s replacement, Gonçalo Ramos, also scored in the match.
Ronaldo’s next comments are expected to shed further light on his decision to leave the Portugal camp and the reported tensions surrounding the national team.