Ronaldo left off Portugal squad for upcoming matches

Santos said the decision was taken after a three-way conversation between him, Ronaldo and the head of the Portuguese soccer federation.

“We agreed the player wouldn’t be available, wouldn’t be an option for selection,” Santos said. “For the next two squad selections, this one and the one next month, Ronaldo won’t be with us.”

Santos refused to give details of the conversation, nor would he comment on Ronaldo’s state of mind, saying the information was private and personal.

Santos said he expected Ronaldo to play again for Portugal eventually.

Ronaldo also missed Portugal’s first two post-World Cup matches last month, with Santos saying then that Ronaldo had only just moved to Italian club Juventus and was still settling down there.

Santos used the 33-year-old team captain’s absence last month to try out younger players.

Ronaldo, who is nearing the end of his playing career, is a national hero in Portugal and the country’s best-known celebrity.

He is the country’s most experienced player with 154 national team appearances, and its all-time highest scorer with 85 goals.

Earlier Thursday, Ronaldo arrived at a Juventus practice session driving in a dark grey Mercedes with tinted windows. The practice was closed to the media.

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Barry Hatton, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Ronaldo left off Portugal squad for upcoming matches

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