Portugal’s heavy defeat to Denmark reignited the debate over Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the national team. Their first match since his international retirement ended in a 4–1 loss in Braga, with the fallout spilling from the stands onto social media.
Before the final whistle, former Benfica defender João Victor, now at CSKA Moscow, shared a screenshot of the score on his Instagram Story. Denmark were 4–0 up in the 75th minute, before Bernardo Silva pulled one back for Portugal.
“This is what happens when you disrespect a legend,” João Victor wrote, referring to Ronaldo and the way his international career ended following a public row with head coach Jorge Jesus during the previous international break.
The dispute began after the Norway match, when Ronaldo warmed up but stayed on the bench until the final whistle. He then left the Portugal camp before the trip to Copenhagen, where his teammates beat Denmark 4–2.
Ronaldo blamed Jesus for the breakdown in trust between them, saying the coach had gone back on a promise about his involvement against Norway and then failed to explain what had happened publicly, as he had promised. Jesus denied that they had reached any agreement, while the Portuguese Football Federation handed Ronaldo a 30-day suspension for leaving camp.
The Al Nassr star announced his international retirement on 5 November, ending a 23-year career in which he won Euro 2016 and two UEFA Nations League titles. His former teammates paid tribute before the Denmark match in Braga by wearing shirts bearing his name and number.
João Victor knows Portuguese football from his time at Benfica, whom he joined from Corinthians in 2022. He later returned to Brazil with Vasco da Gama before moving to CSKA Moscow in the summer of 2025.
Despite the defeat, Portugal remain top of their group with 12 points, three clear of Denmark. A draw against Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday evening would be enough to secure first place.
