Mourinho rejects reports linking him to Ronaldo dispute

José Mourinho has denied making comments circulating in the media about Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese Football Federation, saying the reports are false. The clarification was published on Thursday by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on X. Mourinho was quoted as saying that too much false information had been attributed to him and that he had made no comment about Ronaldo or the federation.

Reports had linked Mourinho to remarks about tensions surrounding Ronaldo and Portugal’s national team. Mourinho’s denial came as the forward’s relationship with the team was facing renewed scrutiny. Ronaldo unexpectedly left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen before the country’s UEFA Nations League match against Denmark.

The departure followed uncertainty over his role under Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus. The 41-year-old forward had remained on the bench during Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway. He subsequently missed a training session, according to the supplied report.

Ronaldo has indicated that he will explain his reasons for leaving the camp at a later date. No further explanation from him is included in the material supplied. Mourinho’s statement therefore addresses only the comments attributed to him.

He did not, in the reported clarification, offer an assessment of Ronaldo’s position with Portugal or comment on the circumstances of the player’s departure. The reports about Mourinho circulated amid attention on the Portugal squad, but the supplied material does not provide details of any disciplinary decision or further action by the Portuguese Football Federation.