Cristiano Ronaldo future with Portugal became uncertain after he suddenly left the national team camp last week. However, Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has now made it clear that Ronaldo can still return to the team.

Jesus spoke about Ronaldo after Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League win over Norway on Sunday. The result helped Portugal reach the Nations League quarter-finals. But Ronaldo’s future remained one of the biggest topics after the match.

Jesus said Ronaldo can return if he wants to. The Portugal coach made it clear that the final decision will be Ronaldo’s.

“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 told reporters after Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League win ⁠over Norway on Sunday.

Jesus made these comments after Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp following a disagreement over his role in the team. Ronaldo was an unused substitute in Portugal’s win over Norway. He then learned that he would not start against Denmark. Ronaldo left the squad and later said on social media that he would explain his reasons “in due course”.

Jorge Jesus Still Wants Ronaldo Around

Jesus’ comments show that he does not see Ronaldo’s departure as the end of his international career.

The coach still wants Ronaldo to stay close to the national team. He believes Ronaldo can help the team whether he starts matches or not. Jesus also remembered what he told Ronaldo when he first took charge of Portugal.

“He’s the one who should decide how he wants to end his time with the national team. In my first call-up, I said, ‘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 also spoke about Ronaldo’s possible return in the next international window. If Ronaldo keeps playing for Al-Nassr, Jesus believes he can be considered for the next Portugal squad.

“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 said, referring to Ronaldo’s Saudi club. “If he wants to, he’ll return to the national team.”

This means Jesus has not ruled Ronaldo out for Portugal’s November matches. Instead, he has left the decision with Ronaldo. At the same time, he has made it clear that the veteran forward remains part of his plans.

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Why Did Cristiano Ronaldo Leave Portugal?

The situation happened during the current international window.

Cristiano Ronaldo started on the bench when Portugal first faced Norway. He stayed on the bench for the entire match. He then learned that he would not start against Denmark.

This appears to have played a role in his decision to leave the national team camp.

Portugal then beat Denmark 4-2 without Ronaldo. The result showed that Portugal could still win without their captain. However, Ronaldo’s absence created questions because of his importance to the team.

Ronaldo has captained Portugal for more than two decades. He is also the country’s record goalscorer and most-capped player. He has scored 146 goals in 234 international appearances.

Ronaldo has also suggested that his playing career is close to its end. He said this will “probably” be his final year in football. Because of this, every decision about his Portugal future has become more important.

Portugal Has Already Qualified for the Quarter-Finals

Portugal have continued to perform well despite the Ronaldo situation.

The defending champions have won all four of their Group A4 matches. They first beat Norway, then defeated Denmark 4-2 without Ronaldo before beating Norway again 2-1 on Sunday.

The latest win confirmed Portugal’s place in the top two. It also secured their place in the Nations League quarter-finals. Portugal became the first team to reach the last eight. The quarter-finals will take place in March 2027.

Norway took the lead through Kristoffer Ajer in the 36th minute. João Cancelo equalized two minutes later. Gonçalo Ramos then scored the winning goal.

Ramos started in Ronaldo’s place and has now scored in three straight games.

Portugal also went down to 10 players late in the match. Francisco Conceição received a second yellow card for dissent. Despite playing with 10 men, Portugal held on for another important win.

These results show that Portugal remain in a strong position even without Ronaldo during the current international window.

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Portugal Federation Also Wants Ronaldo Back

The Portuguese Football Federation has also played down the idea of a permanent break between Ronaldo and the national team.

Federation president Pedro Proença called the situation a misunderstanding that should be solved internally. He also said Ronaldo’s sporting value to Portugal remains clear.

“He is in the national team ⁠on sporting ⁠merit, and that must be unquestionable,” Proença told RTP, reported by Reuters. “We have to pay tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo.”

The statement shows that the federation does not see Ronaldo’s departure as a reason to leave him out of future squads.

João Cancelo also spoke about Ronaldo’s importance after the win over Norway. Cancelo said Ronaldo remains the team’s captain and focused on Portugal’s four victories. Defender Nuno Mendes also suggested that Portugal would welcome Ronaldo back if he decides to return.

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When Could Cristiano Ronaldo Return?

Cristiano Ronaldo could return during the November international window.

Portugal are scheduled to host Denmark on November 14. They will then travel to face Wales three days later on November 17.

If Ronaldo wants to continue playing for Portugal and remains active for Al-Nassr, Jesus has said that the forward could receive a call-up.

However, Ronaldo’s return has not been confirmed yet.

The biggest point from Jesus’ latest comments is that he has left the door open for Ronaldo. The coach wants him involved. The federation still sees him as part of Portugal’s plans. The players also continue to show respect for their captain.

But Ronaldo will make the final decision about his Portugal future.

For now, Portugal has continued to win without him. But with the November international window getting closer, the main question is no longer whether Ronaldo is welcome back.

The bigger question is whether Ronaldo wants to return for what could be the final chapter of his Portugal career.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments. 

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