Portugal defender Nuno Mendes has called for focus on the national team’s footballing responsibilities as attention continues to surround Cristiano Ronaldo’s unexpected departure from the squad.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender said the players have no role in deciding what happens next with Ronaldo, insisting that their responsibility is to prepare for matches and follow the instructions of head coach Jorge Jesus.
Mendes was speaking as Portugal dealt with the absence of its captain following Ronaldo’s decision to leave the team’s training camp ahead of the Nations League fixture in Denmark.
“He is a player for the national team, and we are more focused on what we have to do now and on what the coach wants to bring to us,” Mendes said, according to comments reported by Fabrizio Romano.
“As for the rest, it’s not for us to decide,” he added.
The defender also made it clear that the squad would remain welcoming to its teammates.
“We’re here to welcome any player who joins us,” Mendes said.
His comments came at a time when Ronaldo’s situation had become the dominant talking point around Portugal.
The 41-year-old forward left the national team camp after discussions involving Jesus and Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença. Ronaldo subsequently said on social media that he would explain his reasons for leaving “in due course”, while wishing Portugal and his teammates good luck.
The development followed a controversial period for the Portugal captain.
Ronaldo was an unused substitute during Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway, despite being physically available for selection. Gonçalo Ramos started in attack and scored the winning goal, while Ronaldo remained on the bench throughout the match.
Jesus had previously explained that the decision was part of a plan discussed with Ronaldo before the game. The coach said he had considered bringing the veteran forward on during the second half but ultimately decided that the circumstances of the match did not require the change.
Jesus subsequently rejected suggestions that a serious disagreement had developed between himself and Ronaldo.
The Portugal manager said Ronaldo was disappointed after spending time warming up without being introduced, but insisted that there had been no incident between them. He also denied reports that Ronaldo had refused to train, explaining that the forward had instead completed individual mobility and strengthening work.
However, the situation changed when Ronaldo left camp.
Reports said Jesus and Proença attempted to persuade the captain to remain with the team, but Ronaldo eventually departed and travelled to Madrid. The Portuguese Football Federation has not provided a detailed public explanation for his decision, leaving several questions surrounding his immediate international future.
For Mendes and the rest of the Portugal squad, the response has been to keep attention on football.
That approach was also reflected in Jesus’ comments before the Denmark match. The coach said the immediate priority was the game and that there would be time to discuss the Ronaldo situation afterwards.
Portugal subsequently faced Denmark without Ronaldo and recorded a 4-2 victory in Copenhagen. João Cancelo, Rasmus Højlund’s own goal, Bruno Fernandes and João Félix were among the goals that contributed to Portugal’s win, while Denmark twice fought back before Portugal secured the result.
The victory allowed Portugal to maintain its momentum in the Nations League despite the distraction surrounding its captain.
Ronaldo’s absence nevertheless remains significant. He is Portugal’s leading international goalscorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 appearances, and has been one of the defining figures in the country’s modern football history.
His international future is therefore likely to remain a major subject of discussion until he provides his own account of what prompted him to leave the camp.
Mendes, however, has chosen not to speculate.
His position reflects the division of responsibilities within the national team. Players are expected to train and perform, while decisions about selection, discipline and the management of individual players belong to the coaching staff and football authorities.
That distinction is particularly important while Ronaldo’s situation remains unresolved.
For now, Portugal has demonstrated that it can compete without its long-serving captain, but the circumstances surrounding his departure remain an open issue. Whether Ronaldo returns to the squad, how the federation responds and what explanation he eventually provides are questions that will have to be answered separately.
Mendes’ message, meanwhile, is simple: the players will concentrate on the work in front of them and leave the decisions surrounding Ronaldo to those responsible for making them.
