Portugal football federation president Pedro Proença has weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from the national team. On September 30, Ronaldo left the team's camp in Copenhagen, Denmark, following a reported tension with coach Jorge Jesus. Proença described Ronaldo as "the best player in history," emphasizing his significant contributions to Portuguese football over the past twenty years.
Proença highlighted Ronaldo's importance to the team, stating that he will remain part of the squad as long as he is in good form. The player's departure came after he played over an hour in a win against Wales and was benched for a match against Norway, despite warming up in the second half. Ronaldo's decision to leave the team was made before their subsequent 4-2 victory over Denmark.
Proença downplayed the incident, characterizing it as a "misunderstanding" that needs to be resolved internally. He expressed confidence that the issue can be settled now that the team has completed their recent matches. According to Proença, Ronaldo's presence on the team is justified by his exceptional sporting abilities, and he will continue to be part of the squad as long as he is fit and ready.
The federation president also pointed out that Ronaldo was given the captain's armband in the team's first match, underscoring his leadership role. He recalled that Ronaldo had the opportunity to end his international career at the World Cup but chose not to, driven by his love for the national team and its people.
Proença praised Ronaldo's commitment to Portuguese football, describing him as an icon and a symbol of national identity. He acknowledged the strong bond between Ronaldo and the Portuguese people, as well as the team.
While Proença left the door open for Ronaldo's potential return to the team, he emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with coach Jorge Jesus. Jesus had previously described the incident as a misunderstanding and suggested that Ronaldo could rejoin the team for upcoming Nations League matches in November.
Proença's comments were reported by Fabrizio Romano and Sportskeeda, providing insight into the situation. The federation president's statements aim to alleviate concerns about Ronaldo's future with the team, emphasizing his value to Portuguese football.
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from the Portugal national team was due to a reported misunderstanding with coach Jorge Jesus.
- Portugal football federation president Pedro Proença has expressed support for Ronaldo, highlighting his exceptional sporting abilities and importance to the team.
- The decision on Ronaldo's potential return to the team rests with coach Jorge Jesus.
