Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the national team if he wants to. The 41-year-old forward walked out on the squad after discovering he would not start against Denmark. Jesus reiterated that he values Ronaldo's presence in the dressing room, whether he is playing or on the bench. This development comes after Portugal secured qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals despite Ronaldo's absence in their recent victory over Norway.
The dispute began last week when Jesus left Ronaldo on the bench for Portugal's first win over Norway. Ronaldo subsequently walked out on the squad on Wednesday after learning he would not start against Denmark. Jesus said Ronaldo can come back into the fold "if he wants to" after the team beat Norway without the veteran attacker to reach the Nations League quarter-finals.
Jesus emphasized that Ronaldo's decision to return to the national team is up to him. "For me, Cris, in the next call-up, if he's playing at Al-Nassr, he'll be a player who can be called up," Jesus told reporters, referring to Ronaldo's Saudi club side. The coach also mentioned that if Ronaldo wanted to speak to him before Portugal's next matches in November, that would happen.
Ronaldo is Portugal's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. He made his Portugal debut in 2003 at the age of 18 and has played at six World Cups. Jesus said he had told Ronaldo he needed him in the squad for his first games at the helm after replacing Roberto Martinez following the 2026 World Cup.
Jesus expressed his desire to have Ronaldo in the squad, stating that he needs him close, whether playing or not. "Cristiano should end his time in the national team the way he wants; he's the one who will decide how he wants it," Jesus said. This statement suggests that Jesus values Ronaldo's experience and leadership in the team.
Ronaldo has been a fixture of the national team for more than two decades. He has said this will "probably" be his final year in football. In Ronaldo's absence, Portugal became the first team to secure a place in the quarter-finals, with two group games still to play.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo's long-time rival for the title of the world's best player, Lionel Messi, will play his final match for Argentina in a friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. Portugal's next matches will be in November, and it remains to be seen whether Ronaldo will return to the squad.
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the Portugal national team if he wants to, according to coach Jorge Jesus.
- Ronaldo walked out on the squad after being benched for the match against Denmark.
- Portugal has secured qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals despite Ronaldo's absence.
