The fallout from Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to abandon the Portuguese national team camp continues to draw fierce criticism and widespread mockery across Europe.
The Disciplinary Committee of the Portuguese Soccer Federation handed down a 30-day suspension and a paltry fine of just €255 to the 41-year-old superstar. In practice, however, the penalty is virtually meaningless: Ronaldo is not expected to miss a single international fixture.
Ronaldo walked out of Portugal's camp in Denmark on September 30, ahead of their clash against the hosts in Copenhagen. Because the suspension was backdated to the day of his departure, the ban will expire well before the next international window. This leaves him fully eligible for selection by manager Jorge Jesus for November’s fixtures against Denmark on November 14 and Wales three days later.
Minimal consequences for a major infraction
Under the Portuguese Federation's disciplinary code, Ronaldo faced potential sanctions ranging from a one- to six-month suspension, along with financial penalties. Ultimately, authorities opted for the absolute minimum. The ruling noted that Ronaldo "intentionally" committed the offense under Article 160 of the regulations, resulting in the 30-day ban and a fine equivalent to 2.5 fine units - totaling €255.
For a player earning tens of millions of euros annually, the fine is a drop in the ocean. While the Federation operates under strict regulatory caps on fines - particularly given that players do not draw fixed salaries for national team duty - the insignificance of the amount sparked instant backlash.
Analysts on RMC struggled to reconcile the gravity of the infraction with the leniency of the penalty.
"Basically, this punishment means nothing. It's incomprehensible. He really does whatever he wants," said analyst Julien Laurens.
Polo Breitner was equally scathing: "If this were some regular Portuguese player leaving the national team, they would tell him: 'We don't want you around for ten years.' I find it disgraceful."
An athlete bigger than the sport
Daniele Manusia highlighted the deeper systemic issue at play: "That's the real problem. When an athlete becomes bigger than their sport, in Sinner's case, or bigger than their national team, in Cristiano's case."
The RMC panel went on to question whether Ronaldo's influence in Portugal has transcended soccer entirely, pointing out that the international airport in his Madeira hometown bears his name and his jerseys are regularly used as official diplomatic gifts. The criticism echoes previous remarks by former Al-Nassr manager Helder Cristovao, who once noted that Ronaldo had, in many respects, become "bigger than Portugal."
Attention now turns to whether Ronaldo will actually be named to the squad in November, and whether the friction between him and Jesus has truly subsided. As far as the disciplinary committee is concerned, however, the walkout affair is officially closed - settled with a 30-day ban served almost entirely during an international hiatus, and a fine of just €255.