Cristiano Ronaldo abruptly left Portugal's training camp on Thursday, saying only that he would provide an explanation "in time" for his departure.
The move came hours after head coach Jorge Jesus publicly dismissed suggestions of a rift between himself and the veteran forward, telling reporters there was no falling-out with the player.
No further details about the reason for Ronaldo's exit have been released by the national team or the player, and it remained unclear whether the departure would affect his availability for forthcoming fixtures.
The sequence of statements — first the coach's denial of any dispute and then Ronaldo's departure — raised questions among supporters and media, who awaited the player's promised fuller explanation.
Both the Portugal Football Federation and Ronaldo's representatives had not issued additional commentary by the time of the reports, leaving the situation unresolved pending further information from the parties involved.