Ronaldo issued a statement through several Portuguese media outlets, explaining his reasons for withdrawing from the current Portugal national team training camp and apologizing to Portuguese fans.

In his statement, Ronaldo said that as captain, he should be disciplined by the Football Association. After serving his suspension, he stated he was always ready to play for his country. This indicates that Ronaldo does not plan to voluntarily retire from the Portuguese national team in the near term.

Excerpts from Ronaldo’s Statement
The consequences of my actions must be evaluated and punished by the Football Association, and I understand the penalty should not be reduced. I am not just a player; I am the team captain, which is an aggravating factor. I have apologized, but I know that every action must have consequences. Anyone in football, including me, knows that regardless of individual status, the rules apply to everyone equally.

But when I think of the national team, what I really think about is playing. That’s what was on my mind the day I learned of my father’s death. I was at the national team training camp then, and I decided to stay until the next day’s match was over. I have done things for my country that I would never do for any club.

So, if my physical condition allows me to play and score for my club, then after my suspension ends, I will be ready, as always, to play for the national team and win.

The long-running legal saga between former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué and Colombian pop icon Shakira has resumed, with the former couple returning to a Catalan courtroom to contest the transatlantic holiday travel arrangements for their two children.

The estranged couple appeared at the Court of First Instance number 18 at the Barcelona City of Justice on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

Despite the option to delegate the proceedings entirely to their respective legal teams, both Shakira and Piqué chose to attend the hearing in person.

Reports from the Spanish press described the atmosphere inside the courtroom as professional but undeniably tense, as negotiations between the two parties previously failed to yield a private settlement.

The current friction stems from the logistical realities of the custody agreement ratified following their separation.

The couple officially announced their separation in June 2022, eventually finalising an agreement in December of that year.

The settlement granted Shakira primary physical custody and permitted her to relocate to the United States. In April 2023, the singer moved to Miami, Florida, with their two sons, Milan, 13, and Sasha, 11.

Piqué retained the right to spend several days each month and the majority of the school holidays with his children.

Four years after their initial separation, the practical execution of that holiday schedule has prompted Shakira’s new legal challenge.

The singer has petitioned the judge to modify the existing visitation structure to ease the physical toll of long-haul travel on the minors.

Shakira argues that the children are currently shouldering the entire burden of flying between Miami and Barcelona during their short school breaks.

According to a statement from her legal representatives, Shakira is not attempting to reduce the amount of time Milan and Sasha spend with their father.

Instead, she is demanding a shared logistical responsibility. The Colombian artist has proposed that Piqué should occasionally travel to Miami during the shorter holiday periods, allowing the boys to remain in their home environment.

Her legal team maintains that eliminating consecutive transatlantic flights will prevent severe jet lag and protect the children’s academic, social, and family routines in the United States.

Sporting Lagos have named Sodiq Ayoade Yusuf as their Player of the Month for September.

The club announced Yusuf as the winner of the award on its X account.

The defender has been a key figure in Sporting Lagos’ defence since the start of the season.

Yusuf has featured in all of Sporting Lagos’ matches in the current campaign.

He has netted two goals for the club this season.

Sporting Lagos are pushing to improve their position on the table, and the award is expected to motivate the player as the team chases its target for the season.