Gonçalo Ramos Details Cristiano Ronaldo Departure and National Team Strains
Gonçalo Ramos described the abrupt departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from the Portuguese national team training camp as a strange event that triggered immediate alarms within the squad, Canal 11 reported on October 28, 2026. The Benfica forward addressed the media disruption surrounding the veteran forward during an appearance on the Canal 11 broadcast Singles Around the World, noting that any action by Ronaldo carries heavy repercussions regardless of its nature.
Squad Reaction to the Camp Departure
Players remained uncertain whether Ronaldo had permanently left the premises during the incident. Ramos stated that the squad could not ignore the situation, though stopping Ronaldo from leaving fell under the authority of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) management rather than the players. Despite the disruption, Ramos indicated that the team would welcome Ronaldo back without hesitation, maintaining that teammates would not cut ties over a decision made in the heat of the moment.
Gonçalo Ramos sobre a Seleção Nacional e Cristiano Ronaldo: "Não tem de se abdicar de um para jogar o outro. Muitas vezes, nós poderíamos jogar juntos."📌 Vê o episódio completo de 𝙎𝙊𝙇𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙃𝙊𝙎 𝙋𝙀𝙇𝙊 𝙈𝙐𝙉𝘿𝙊 no Canal 11, a partir das 21:25 desta quarta-feira 📺 pic.twitter.com/xqFG9dA77V
Battling for the Starting Role Under Jorge Jesus
Ramos framed his return to work under manager Jorge Jesus at Benfica as a fresh start designed to prove his value after securing his spot during early match opportunities. The forward asserted that his recent performances sent a clear message regarding his readiness to lead the line for the national team. While acknowledging respect for Ronaldo’s established status, Ramos argued that tactical setups do not require sacrificing one player for the other, pointing to past pairings such as a match against Slovakia at the Estádio do Dragão where both featured effectively together.
Frustrations Over Major Tournament Playing Time
Reflecting on his recent tournament experiences, Ramos expressed disappointment over limited minutes under manager Roberto Martínez during Euro 2024, where he played only 15 minutes against Georgia in a dead rubber match. He also noted scoring against Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup but receiving sparse playing time afterward, describing the lost opportunities on the major international stage as frustrating periods where he felt capable of contributing significantly more.
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