Cristiano Ronaldo is fined and suspended 30 days for walking out on Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo has been punished for walking out on Portugal.

The Portuguese Football Federation on Monday fined its captain €255 (about $286) and suspended him for 30 days. Ronaldo left the national team last month during the UEFA Nations League after a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus.

The fine was the most the federation could hand down once mitigating circumstances were taken into account. It said Ronaldo's confession and his clean disciplinary record helped reduce the punishment.

The 41-year-old is expected to be eligible for Portugal's two remaining Nations League matches in November against Denmark and Wales.

"The coach had broken his word"

Ronaldo left camp ahead of Portugal's game against Denmark. He had been left on the bench against Norway and he accused Jesus of going back on a promise about his playing time.

In a statement after he left, Ronaldo said he had not expected to play against Norway. "To my absolute surprise, the coach asked me whether I was ready to play 30 minutes," he said. He said he agreed even though it was outside his recovery plan.

He said he warmed up from halftime on and watched the minutes tick away without being called on. "The coach had broken his word to me," he said.

Ronaldo said he would accept whatever punishment the federation chose and that he still wants to play for his country.

Still a key piece

Federation president Pedro Proença has said he believes Ronaldo remains a key player for Portugal and he is confident the captain will settle his dispute with Jesus and return to the squad.

"Our captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, is one of our key pieces," Proença said.

Not everyone has been so forgiving. Former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney called the walkout "wrong in every sense."

Ronaldo is the world's highest-paid athlete. Forbes estimates he earned $300 million over the past year.