Coup d’État: Prime Minister tries to stop Cristiano Ronaldo at Parken
During the night from Wednesday to Thursday, Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium saw Portugal turn into a drama scene: the Portuguese prime minister called the manager, Jorge Jesus, and the federation president, Pedro Proença, to hold back Cristiano Ronaldo, as the number 7 Leão was about to leave the stadium.
A desperate call from the Prime Minister
The prime minister, present in person, tried to convince the star to stay, calling Jesus and Proença according to Portuguese media. The call had no effect, the attempt to divert the federation’s van ended in complete failure.
The context of the Football Nations League
This crisis erupts during the Football Nations League, where the Seleçao was set to prepare its first home match against Wales on September 24, followed by a fixture in Porto on October 4 against Norway. The number 7 Leão, who has worn the shirt since Ronaldo’s 500th goal scored with Real Madrid against Malmö, was at the heart of the controversy.
Jonathan Lange, editor‑in‑chief of Sports, commented on the situation by wondering whether it was the “final clap” for Cristiano Ronaldo and the Seleçao. He notes that Parken, which once sent Ronaldo to his 500th goal, now takes on a completely different meaning.
After having his private jet brought from Madrid, Ronaldo returned to the Spanish capital during the night, but his departure from the Danish stadium was marked by a sequence described as “lunatic”. Jesus and Proença, present in Copenhagen, tried to prevent the player from getting into the van that would take him to the airport.
Consequences and outlook
In theory, Ronaldo’s decision to abandon the gathering could lead to a fine and a six‑month suspension, but the Portuguese federation appears reluctant to impose such sanctions in the face of the generated uproar. The president of the Madeira regional government, where Ronaldo was born, denounced the “nonsense and pettiness” aimed at downplaying his importance.
The drama, described as a state affair, leaves the Seleçao uncertain about Ronaldo’s participation in the upcoming Nations League matches, while number 7 Leão remains the only hope for continuity on the pitch.