Will Cristiano Ronaldo play for Portugal after a row with coach Jesus? | Football
The future of Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career remains uncertain following an unexpected turn of events with Portugal’s national team. Head coach Jorge Jesus has indicated that the 41-year-old superstar may return to the squad after his abrupt exit from a training camp earlier this week.
Pedro Proenca, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, echoed Jesus’ sentiments, suggesting that the situation may be a misunderstanding that could be resolved internally.
Ronaldo departed the team on Wednesday, a decision that surprised many, especially after Jesus announced in a press conference that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner would not start in the upcoming match against Denmark. This marked his second consecutive absence from the Nations League starting lineup.
The forward left shortly after the meeting and was scheduled to train with the team at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen. He had already watched from the sidelines during Portugal’s recent 2-1 victory over Norway on September 27, having captained the team just three days earlier in a home match against Wales. This absence from the field marked the first time since November 2024 that Ronaldo did not play for Portugal when available.
In a post on Instagram, Ronaldo suggested deeper issues behind Jesus’s decision to bench him, hinting that he might consider stepping away from the national team he has represented for over two decades. “In due course, I will tell the truth to all the Portuguese people about my reasons for leaving the national team, to which I have always been dedicated,” he wrote.
Reports indicated that Proenca and Jesus followed Ronaldo to the airport in an effort to persuade him to stay with the team before he departed on his private jet. Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro was also said to have spoken with Jesus about the matter.
Jesus has stated there is no rift between him and Ronaldo, acknowledging the captain’s disappointment over his benching in the recent match against Norway. He expressed that Ronaldo remains welcome to return to the team if he chooses. “If he wants to, he’ll return to the national team. We can talk before the next call-up, but Cris is the one who’s going to decide,” Jesus said.
Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Portugal continued to perform well, securing victories against Denmark (4-2) and Norway (2-1). The team has qualified for the Nations League quarterfinals with these results. In Ronaldo’s stead, forward Goncalo Ramos stepped up, becoming a key player with three goals, sharing the team’s top scorer title with Joao Felix.
Midfielder Bruno Fernandes addressed the situation over the weekend, stating he had spoken to Ronaldo and disagreed with any notions of a rift within the squad. “Cristiano Ronaldo will never cease to be the greatest symbol of our national team,” he affirmed. Fernandez called for unity among fans and players alike, encouraging respect for Ronaldo’s contributions to Portuguese football.
As for Ronaldo’s playing status, he last featured for the national team during a 1-0 win against Wales, where he played 67 minutes. His performance in that match was characterized by frustration; he missed several opportunities, including an offside goal.
With speculation surrounding his future, Ronaldo has indicated that 2023 could be his final year in competitive football. As the most capped player and leading scorer in Portugal’s history, he has played in six World Cups and has helped secure the nation’s first Euro championship in 2016.
Portugal is set to face Norway at home on November 14, followed by an away game against Wales on November 17, concluding their league phase in the Nations League, a tournament they have won twice.
