Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are heading for a messy break-up. Portugal enjoyed a hugely impressive win in Norway on Sunday night with Ronaldos replacement Goncalo Ramos scoring the winner nine minutes into the second half.The 41-year-old was expected to come off the bench towards the end but remained rooted to his seat, marking the first time in 18 years the veteran striker was not called upon by his country when fit.What came next was entirely predictable.Rather than congratulate his team-mates, in particular Ramos who has been remarkably patient in waiting for his opportunity, and celebrate the three points with the travelling fans, Ronaldo skulked off down the tunnel.Immediately, the attention turned from the win, the focus on a fine performance against a strong opponent, to the middle-aged man conspicuous by his absence.Ronaldo fails to train as debate ragesSince that point, Ronaldo has not trained, on Monday when the rest of the unused players did a work-out, or on Tuesday, preferring instead to follow an individual programme at the team hotel.No injury has been reported by the Portuguese Football Federation when it has had ample opportunity to do so. We can only assume, therefore, that Ronaldo has thrown his toys out of the pram and refused to participate.Reports in Portugal suggest Ronaldo and boss Jorge Jesus thrashed out their differences on Tuesday evening and we now wait to see if the former Manchester United and Real Madrid man trains tonight ahead of tomorrows Nations League clash with Denmark in Copenhagen.It should be noted that Ronaldo is acting this way despite working with Jesus last season to help deliver the Saudi Pro League title for Al-Nassr. They know each other well and yet Ronaldo still displays this level of disrespect.The brave thing for Jesus to do is not indulge this level of selfishness. Keep Ramos in the team and Ronaldo sulking on the bench.At his age, Ronaldo must accept he is no longer the player he was, his influence has been waning on the international stage for some time. If he claims to love Portugal the way he says he does then he must stand aside, with grace, and let Jesus manage.Ronaldo tantrum nothing newThis is not the first time Ronaldo has put individual before collective.There was the armband throwing episode in 2021 when a goal was disallowed against Serbia in a World Cup qualifier, the refusal to come on as a late substitute for Manchester United in 2022 and the crotch-grabbing incident in 2024 when rivals fans chanted for his age-old rival Lionel Messi, leading to a suspension. And many others.Reaction to his latest nonsense in his homeland is divided.Many feel Ronaldos time with the national team is over, that this indulgence has hampered the teams chances at recent major tournaments and that he should show some humility and walk away with his legacy intact.Others are more eager to point at his enormous influence on a country that struggled for significance on the international stage until his arrival. He played a prominent role in Portugals first major trophy the 2016 European Championship and led them to glory in the Nations League in 2019 and 2025.One notable commentator even suggested Portugal should treat him the same way Argentina have built around Messi, protecting him from the advances of age and giving him the platform to succeed. The difference is Messi was still Argentinas best player at this summers World Cup, the driving force behind their run to the final. And how could anyone forget the way he dragged his country, almost single-handedly, to the 2022 title in Qatar?Messi inspires, Ronaldo sulksRonaldo has not held the same platform for Portugal for some time.Messi opted to retire from international football after the World Cup, and is now looking forward to his farewell game next week in front of an adoring crowd in Buenos Aires. It was the right call at the right time, putting his country first.Ronaldo continues to push on to the detriment of Portugal. For his own good, he needs to call it a day, rather than let someone have to make a call that will prompt endless debate and argument.Its difficult to see what he is hoping to achieve at this stage. Protect your legacy, cherish the good times, and walk away a hero. The time is now Cristiano. Topics Argentina National Football Team Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi Portugal National Football Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read What is going on with Cristiano Ronaldo? 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