Cristiano Ronaldo could return to Portugal after Jorge Jesus extends olive branch
Table of Contents
 |
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Jorge Jesus says Cristiano Ronaldo can return to Portugal in November.
- Pedro Proença calls the Ronaldo-Jesus dispute a misunderstanding.
- Portugal won both Nations League games without Ronaldo.
Ronaldo left Portugal's training camp during the latest international break following a dispute with Jesus after being left as an unused substitute in the team's 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway.
The 41-year-old was subsequently absent as Portugal beat Denmark 4-2 before securing another 2-1 victory over Norway. Those results ensured Jesus' side maintained a perfect record in the Nations League campaign, despite the absence of their captain and all-time leading scorer.
RECOMMENDED
Portugal PUMA Home Shirt 2026 - Ronaldo #7
Official jersey. Limited stock. Fast selling.
Wanted by thousands of Ronaldo fans
Get Yours →
Jorge Jesus: "Ronaldo can return if he wants to"
Jesus, who previously managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, has offered an unusually direct invitation for the forward to return.Speaking after Portugal's latest victory, Jesus said Ronaldo would be considered for the next international break if he wants to come back.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be called up for the next international break, if he wants to return.Jesus also insisted there was no lasting resentment between the pair, despite the dramatic circumstances surrounding Ronaldo's departure.
It's his decision. I am ready to call him if he will play with Al-Nassr.
Just because it was him, and perhaps rightly so, because he is a symbol, this whole issue of warming up and not warming up, coming on and not coming on, has been created.
Why did Cristiano Ronaldo leave Portugal?
The dispute began when Jesus decided not to start Ronaldo against Norway.Ronaldo had started Portugal's previous match, a 1-0 victory over Wales, but was told he would be on the bench for the following game.
The situation escalated when Ronaldo warmed up during the match but ultimately remained an unused substitute. It was reportedly the first time in 18 years that he had been left on the bench without making an appearance for Portugal.
After the final whistle, Ronaldo went straight down the tunnel rather than joining his team-mates in acknowledging the supporters.
Jesus later confirmed that Ronaldo would not start the following match against Denmark.
Ronaldo then left the training camp and issued a statement on social media.
In due course, I will tell the truth to all the Portuguese people about my reasons for leaving the national team, to which I have always been dedicated.The statement suggested that the full story behind his departure had yet to emerge.
Pedro Proença backs Ronaldo
FPF President Pedro Proença has also attempted to calm the situation.Rather than suggesting Ronaldo's international career is coming to an end, Proença stressed that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner remains an important part of Portugal's plans.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in history. He has dedicated more than two decades to Portuguese football and is the ultimate symbol of Portuguese identity.Proença also highlighted Ronaldo's decision to continue playing for Portugal after the 2022 FIFA World Cup, when he could have chosen to end his international career.
What happened between him and Jorge Jesus was simply a misunderstanding that needs to be resolved internally.
He could have ended his career at the World Cup, but he didn't because of his love for his national team.The FPF president has indicated that there is now time for both sides to sit down and resolve the dispute before the November international break.
Portugal have coped without Ronaldo
The immediate results have given Jesus some useful leverage.Portugal won 4-2 away to Denmark before beating Norway 2-1, collecting maximum points from both matches without Ronaldo.
Jesus has therefore won all four of his opening matches as Portugal manager, whilst the team has continued to score freely without its record goalscorer.
Ronaldo remains Portugal's all-time leading scorer, with 146 international goals in 234 appearances.
That does not necessarily mean Portugal are better without him, however.
A short run of matches cannot establish that Ronaldo's absence improves the team. The quality of opposition, tactical setup, game state and individual player performances all affect those figures.
What the results do show is that Portugal have enough attacking depth to remain competitive without their most recognisable player.
Ronaldo's international future remains his decision
Jesus has publicly offered Ronaldo a route back into the squad. Proença has reinforced the message from the federation and described the disagreement as something that can be resolved internally.The bigger question is whether Ronaldo is willing to accept a reduced role as Portugal's squad enters another phase of transition.
At 41, Ronaldo's position within the team is inevitably different from what it was during the peak of his international career. He remains an extraordinary goalscorer and a major symbol of Portuguese football, but Jesus has also demonstrated that he is prepared to make decisions based on his tactical plans rather than Ronaldo's status.
Portugal's next international fixtures are against Denmark and Wales in November. If Ronaldo wants to return, Jesus has already made his position clear: the door is open.
The decision now appears to belong to Ronaldo.
Post a Comment