Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo could face a suspension ranging from one to six months from his country’s federation for abandoning Portugal’s national team camp.

As pointed out by Mundo Deportivo , Article 160 of the Portuguese Football Federation’s disciplinary rules points out that a suspension for such an act is automatic.

Angered by not playing a single minute for Portugal for the first time in 18 years when sat on the bench, Ronaldo went directly to the locker room without greeting any of the fans or his teammates after they beat Erling Haaland ’s Norway 2-1 away from home.

“Following the national team manager’s press conference, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team camp,” Ronaldo wrote on social media .

“In due course, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led to my departure from the national team, to which I have always been fully committed. For now, it is time to wish Portugal and all my teammates, without exception, the very best of luck,” he then added.

In said press conference, Jesus played down talk of a rift with Ronaldo.

“There was no incident whatsoever," he said. “Any player - and I was a player myself - when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don’t get on, no-one is happy about that.”

“Afterwards, as coach, I decided not to bring him on. It’s nothing to make a fuss about,” Jesus went on, though he did erupt about having his authority questioned and pointed to Goncalo Ramos again being picked over the five-time Champions League winner for Denmark.

“If I need [Ronaldo], he’ll come on. If I don’t need him, he won’t.”

Any ban might be uneccesary for Ronaldo

Even if he’s banned by the Portuguese federation, the punishment could serve little purpose for Ronaldo.

That’s because at 41, and after this latest hiccup, the legendary number 7 could retire from international football altogether.

It was expected that he might do this after the 2026 World Cup where Portugal was knocked out in the last 16 after losing 0-1 to Spain. Yet still Ronaldo continued through to these set of Nations Leagues games in an extended September international break.

Even if he does step down, Ronaldo will be fondly remembered for being a protagonist in Portugal’s first ever Euros win in 2016 in addition to two Nations Leagues triumphs.