Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has said Cristiano Ronaldo remains welcome in the national team despite walking out on the squad last week, insisting the veteran forward can return “if he wants to”.
Jesus made the comments on Sunday after Portugal defeated Norway without Ronaldo to secure a place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
The dispute began when Jesus left the 41-year-old Ronaldo on the bench for Portugal’s first victory over Norway. Ronaldo subsequently left the squad on Wednesday after learning he would not start against Denmark.
“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. “If he wants to, he’ll return to the national team.”
Jesus said he would also be willing to speak with Ronaldo before Portugal’s next international fixtures in November.
“If he wants to, as we did before this call-up, we talked before the call-up, we can talk before the next call-up,” the coach said. “But Cris is the one who’s going to decide.”
‘Ronaldo Should Decide How He Leaves’
Ronaldo is Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player and has represented the national team for more than two decades.
Jesus said he had told Ronaldo that he wanted the veteran forward close to the squad when he took charge after replacing Roberto Martinez following the 2026 World Cup.
“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.
The coach recalled telling Ronaldo: “I need you, I need you to be close to me, playing or not playing, I need you.”
“And now I’m saying the same thing,” Jesus added.
Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in 2003 at the age of 18 and has played at six World Cups. He has previously indicated that the current season will “probably” be his final year in football.
Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Portugal became the first team to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals with two group matches still remaining.
