Portugal Coach Leaves Door Open for Ronaldo Return as Federation Mediates Crisis

Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has left the door open for Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the national team, saying the decision is entirely in the player's hands. The statement came after Portugal's 2-1 win over Norway, which secured their place in the Nations League quarter-finals.

"For me, Cris, if he is still playing for Al-Nassr at the next call-up, he is a player who can be called up," Jesus told reporters. "If he wants to, he will return to the national team." He also said he would be willing to speak directly with Ronaldo before Portugal's next fixtures in November if the player wishes to do so.

The crisis erupted last week when Ronaldo, 41, was left on the bench for Portugal's Nations League match against Norway. After being told he would also not start against Denmark, the captain left the national camp in Copenhagen on September 30 and returned to Saudi Arabia. He had already missed training sessions in the days before his departure.

Under the Portuguese Football Federation's disciplinary regulations, a player who leaves national team activities without justification can face a suspension of one to six months and a fine of between 500 and 1,000 euros. However, the federation's official spokesperson, Ricardo Quaresma, has categorically denied reports of a six-month suspension, stating that Ronaldo has not informed the federation of any intention to retire and can rejoin the squad normally if selected.

Federation president Pedro Proença has taken on the role of mediator. According to Portuguese media, Proença is working to broker a reconciliation between Ronaldo and Jesus, aiming to prevent the captain's international career from ending in controversy. The plan involves reopening dialogue and calming tensions between the two, who worked together for a year at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

Proença travelled to Copenhagen during the crisis in an attempt to defuse the situation, but the talks did not prevent Ronaldo's departure. Sources close to the situation indicate that Ronaldo was upset that Jesus had promised him playing time against Norway but then left him on the bench for the entire match.

Public reaction has been sharply divided. Some Portuguese fans have turned their anger on Jesus, accusing the 72-year-old coach of "inflated ego" and "lack of sensitivity in managing the CR7 asset." Posters appeared in Oeiras and Lisbon thanking Ronaldo and criticizing the coach. At Porto airport, a fan shouted at Jesus: "You're not worth a fingernail of CR7! You're a shame!"

Ronaldo's sister, Elma Aveiro, also weighed in on Instagram, criticizing the national team's "structuring" and the Portuguese press while thanking her brother for "everything" — a message some interpreted as a sign that his international career is over.

Ronaldo has not yet publicly clarified his intentions. After leaving the camp, he said only: "In due time, I will tell the truth." He has since returned to Al-Nassr. Portugal's next international fixtures are scheduled for November 14 against Denmark and November 17 against Wales.

For now, the ball is in Ronaldo's court. The coach says he can return. The federation says there is no suspension. The president is working to make peace. But the man at the centre of it all — the captain who has won everything except a World Cup — has yet to say whether he wants to wear the Portugal shirt again. The answer will determine whether his international career ends in glory, or in a departure that no one saw coming.

Written by Thorben Thiede thorben.thiede@alpineweekly.com