“For me, Cris is in the next squad selection — provided he plays at Al-Nassr — a candidate for the squad. If he wants to return, he will return.”
The remarks arrive in the wake of a turbulent week for the national setup, during which Portugal secured early qualification for the quarterfinals of the UEFA Nations League by winning three matches without their all-time leading scorer.
Ronaldo Departs Camp After Tactical Omissions
The rift between the veteran forward and the coaching staff widened earlier in the week when Ronaldo left the national team camp.welt.de reported that the 41-year-old forward departed after he was left on the bench during a 2-1 victory in the first leg against Norway and subsequently omitted from the starting lineup for a subsequent 4-2 win in Denmark. Having earned 234 international caps and scored 146 goals for Portugal, the captain’s sudden departure marked an abrupt halt to his record-setting international career.
Jorge Jesus, who previously coached Ronaldo to a league title at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr last season, opted against closing the chapter permanently.
Squad Unity and Gonçalo Ramos Step Up
While the coaching staff managed the fallout from the departure, Portugal’s performances on the pitch remained unaffected. Titleholder Portugal swept its fixtures across the international window, securing victories in all three matches without the talismanic forward. Gonçalo Ramos, deployed as the central striker in Ronaldo’s absence, scored in every single game of the sequence,welt.de reported.
Inside the locker room, teammates sought to project unity regarding the delicate situation. Newly appointed captain Bruno Fernandes addressed the media by describing Ronaldo as “the biggest symbol of our national team, our football, and our country.” External defenders Nuno Mendes and João Cancelo echoed similar sentiments, with Mendes noting that the squad would welcome him with open arms should he return, while Cancelo emphasized that the situation deserved to be resolved with calm and the respect Cristiano has earned,welt.de reported.
Federation Mediation Planned for November
Addressing the friction between the player and the manager, Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proença announced plans to intervene. Proença stated that officials would take time following the conclusion of the fixtures to sit down and resolve what he characterized as a misunderstanding,welt.de reported. Whether the veteran forward will accept an invitation for the upcoming November fixtures remains uncertain, with Jesus maintaining that the final decision rests entirely with the player.
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