Portugal national team coach Jorge Jesus has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the squad if he wants to, despite their recent dispute. Ronaldo walked out on the team after being left on the bench for Portugal's match against Norway. Jesus said that Ronaldo can come back into the fold "if he wants to" and that he will be a player who can be called up if he is playing for his Saudi club side, Al-Nassr.
The dispute between Jesus and Ronaldo began last week when the coach left the 41-year-old 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 that he had told Ronaldo that he needed him in the squad for his first games at the helm after replacing Roberto Martinez following the 2026 World Cup.
Jesus stated that Ronaldo will be the one to decide how he wants to end his time in the national team. The coach said that he needs Ronaldo to be close to him, playing or not playing, and that he had expressed this to the player. Ronaldo has been a fixture of the national team for more than two decades and has played at six World Cups.
In Ronaldo's absence, Portugal became the first team to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Nations League, with two group games still to play. Jesus said that if Ronaldo wishes to speak to him before Portugal's next matches in November, that would happen. The coach also stated that Ronaldo's decision to return to the team is up to him.
Ronaldo, who made his Portugal debut in 2003 at the age of 18, has said that this will "probably" be his final year in football. The forward is Portugal's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. Jesus said that he and Ronaldo had talked about his role in the team and that he had expressed his need for the player.
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. Jesus said that he had told Ronaldo that he needs him in the squad and that the player will decide how he wants to end his time in the national team.
Portugal's next matches will be in November, and Jesus said that he will talk to Ronaldo before then if the player wants to. The team's win over Norway secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Nations League, and Jesus expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance.
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the Portugal team if he wants to, according to coach Jorge Jesus.
- Ronaldo walked out on the team after being left on the bench for Portugal's match against Norway.
- Portugal has secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Nations League, with two group games still to play.
