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Portugal Coach Opens Door for Ronaldo's Return
Confirmed
In Short: Portugal's national team coach Jorge Jesus says Cristiano Ronaldo can return if he wishes, despite the player's recent exit from the squad.
Cristiano Ronaldo could return to the Portugal national team if he wishes, according to coach Jorge Jesus, who said the door remains open for the star player's return.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) reported that Jesus stated Ronaldo can be called up for future matches if he is playing for his Saudi club, Al-Nassr. The coach also mentioned he would speak with Ronaldo before Portugal's next matches in November.
In contrast, BBC (United Kingdom) reported that Ronaldo was an unused substitute in Portugal's Nations League match against Denmark on Sunday and left the training camp after a dispute over his selection.
Both outlets agree that Ronaldo's return is contingent on his own decision and that Jesus is willing to discuss the matter with the player.
Jesus emphasized that Ronaldo is a symbol of Portugal and a significant figure in the national team's history. He noted that Ronaldo holds the record for most goals and appearances for Portugal, with 146 goals in 234 matches.
Jesus also clarified that he had told Ronaldo he needed him in the squad for his first games as coach, replacing Roberto Martinez after the 2026 World Cup.
Ronaldo, who has said this will likely be his final year in football, walked out of the national team camp on Wednesday after a dispute over his selection for the match against Denmark.
The coach acknowledged that Ronaldo's exit was a controversial move but stressed that the team should remain united and respectful of all players, regardless of personal opinions.
Ronaldo has since called for action against fan behavior in the Saudi Pro League, urging the league to ban fans for life after chants directed at Ruben Neves during a match.
In his social media post, Ronaldo stated that he would tell the truth about his reasons for leaving the national team in due course, emphasizing his dedication to the team.
Despite the controversy, Jesus maintained that Ronaldo's place in the national team is secure and that he is open to the player's return if Ronaldo decides to come back.
The coach's willingness to discuss Ronaldo's return and the player's own desire to clarify his reasons for leaving suggest a potential path for reconciliation between the two parties.
What this adds
The sources have not established the specific conditions under which Ronaldo would return to the national team, nor have they clarified the nature of the dispute that led to his exit.
Background
Cristiano Ronaldo could return to the national team if he wishes, says Portugal coach Jorge Jesus.
What's confirmed
- After leaving the camp he wrote 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."
What's still developing
- Portugal’s leading goalscorer and most-capped player, Ronaldo was substituted in the Nations League opener against Wales on September 24.
- When he was informed he would again be named on the bench for the match in Denmark, Ronaldo took a private flight back to Saudi Arabia.
- Ronaldo started the 1-0 opening-game win over Wales, but he was named as a substitute in Norway and told he may or may not come on.
- When Jesus announced in a news conference Ronaldo would not start against Denmark either, the veteran left the camp.
- AC Milan striker Goncalo Ramos has scored in all three starts with Ronaldo out of the team.
- "Any player who comes to the national team is welcome, obviously. If Cris returns, we'll be here to receive him with open arms."
- Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi side Al Nassr and was also a Portugal teammate of Jota, has called for action after the disgusting actions of some fans, urging lifetime fans to be dished out.
- ‘The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour,’ Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. 🚨 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇: Ruben Neves' reaction as Al-Taawoun fans repeat the name of his late close friend: "Jota, Jota, Jota…" 🙏 pic.twitter.com/2iPdA36H3i ‘This is no longer football, and there have to be limits.
- Jota!’ aimed at Neves, a man who played alongside the forward for Wolves and Portugal before his tragic death in July last year.
- The national team coach's press conference Ronaldo mentions was with Jorge Jesus, who said regarding tomorrow's match against Denmark: "If everything goes according to plan, it will be Goncalo Ramos who plays. If I need [Ronaldo], he'll come on. If I don't need him, he won't."
- Cristiano Ronaldo has decided to leave the Portugal training camp after a discussion with the federation's president, Pedro Proenca.
- “He has a reserved place not only among the best of all time, but also in the hearts of all Portuguese people, and the most important thing is that we stop dividing things,” Fernandes said.