Ronaldo's Portugal future in doubt as Messi prepares Argentina farewell

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal future is suddenly uncertain just as Lionel Messi prepares to say goodbye to Argentina.

Argentina host Benin on Tuesday in a home friendly billed as Messi's final game. The 39-year-old decided to retire from international football after the World Cup, according to BBC. Ronaldo, 41, took the opposite path and chose to carry on with Portugal after the tournament.

Ronaldo started Portugal's 1-0 win over Wales. Then came Norway. He stayed on the bench for the whole Nations League game, UEFA's international competition that runs alongside qualifying, after being asked to warm up but never sent on. It was the first time in 18 years he had been an unused substitute for his country.

Portugal still beat Norway on Sunday in their final Nations League match without him. At the final whistle Ronaldo went straight down the tunnel instead of joining his teammates to thank the fans.

The story moved quickly off the pitch. Ronaldo left Portugal's training camp in Copenhagen after learning he would not start against Denmark. Portuguese FA president Pedro Proenca flew to Copenhagen, landing at 02:30, to try to resolve the situation. Talks between Ronaldo, his representatives and the federation over his future are ongoing.

Portugal changed manager after the World Cup. Roberto Martinez left and Jorge Jesus came in. Jesus had been Ronaldo's club manager at Al-Nassr last season. Jesus has since said Ronaldo will return to the national team if he wants and should decide how to end his time with the team.

The numbers explain why every selection call matters so much. Ronaldo has 234 caps, meaning appearances for the national team, and 146 goals for Portugal. Both are world records.

Feeling around the squad has been tense. Billboards in Lisbon have praised Ronaldo and criticised Jesus. Ronaldo said on social media he will in due course tell Portuguese people his reasons for leaving the camp. Teammate Bruno Fernandes said on 3 October he had spoken to Ronaldo and dismissed suggestions of a rift in the squad, according to Reuters.

What makes this stand out is the contrast. Messi gets a planned farewell at home. Ronaldo, who said before this summer that the 2026 World Cup would be his last World Cup, faces open questions.

For fans, this means waiting until November. Portugal play Denmark next. Whether Ronaldo is part of it will depend on those talks.