Cristiano Ronaldo will not return to the Portugal squad while Jorge Jesus remains the team's coach, according to reports. This development comes after Ronaldo was benched in Portugal's 2-1 win against Norway on September 27, the first time in 18 years he had not played for his country when available. The 41-year-old superstar subsequently walked out of the national team camp, missing three training sessions and Portugal's final two games of the international break.
Ronaldo's decision to leave camp has sparked a heated debate, with Portuguese journalist Rui Santos claiming that Ronaldo has lost faith in Jesus and has no intention of playing under him again. Santos stated that Ronaldo was unhappy with the handling of the situation, particularly with Jesus' mixed messages. Jesus had welcomed Ronaldo back into the fold but also stressed that team selection was his decision and that he had nothing to apologise for.
The extraordinary stand-off has raised questions over whether Ronaldo, Portugal's record goalscorer and most-capped player, will represent his country again. Ronaldo has yet to publicly reveal the exact reason for his departure from camp but has vowed to tell supporters "the truth" about his decision "in due time". He flew home with his family on a private jet to Madrid, where he stayed for days before heading to his base in Saudi Arabia.
Despite Jesus' attempts to resolve the issue, Ronaldo's stance remains unchanged. Jesus had opened the door for Ronaldo to return next month, but Santos claims that Ronaldo is not satisfied with the coach's handling of the situation. The incident has sparked a major controversy, with many questioning the future of Ronaldo's international career.
Portugal have won all four matches since Jesus took charge on a four-year contract in July, including victories over Norway and Denmark following Ronaldo's departure from camp. The team's success has not been affected by Ronaldo's absence, but his presence is often seen as a major boost to the team's chances of success.
Ronaldo's relationship with Jesus has been strained in recent times, with the player reportedly unhappy with the coach's tactics and team selection. The incident has highlighted the challenges of managing a team with high-profile players and the importance of effective communication between coaches and players.
The future of Ronaldo's international career remains uncertain, with many waiting to see if he will return to the Portugal squad. One thing is clear, however: Ronaldo's absence has had a significant impact on the team, and his return would be a major boost to their chances of success.
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo refuses to return to Portugal squad under coach Jorge Jesus.
- Ronaldo was benched in Portugal's 2-1 win against Norway on September 27.
- The incident has raised questions over the future of Ronaldo's international career.
