Ronaldo's Portugal return possible? Coach Jesus clears the air

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly left Portugal after Jesus allegedly broke promises over his Norway warm-up, with a private apology replaced by public defiance/ Image: X

Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has kept the door open for Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the national team after the 41-year-old captain left the squad last week. Ronaldo departed after being left on the bench against Norway and told he would not start against Denmark, later saying he would explain his decision "in due course"."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, as quoted by news agency Reuters, after Portugal beat Norway 2-1.

"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."

Portugal won without Ronaldo against Denmark before beating Norway to reach the Nations League quarter-finals. Ronaldo remains the country's record scorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 appearances.

Portugal still counting on Ronaldo

Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca also said Ronaldo remains part of the team's plans and described his departure as a misunderstanding that should be handled internally."He is in the national team on sporting merit, and that must be unquestionable," Proenca told RTP. "We have to pay tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo."Jesus, who previously coached Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, expects the forward could return during the next international break if he chooses. Portugal will host Denmark on November 14 before travelling to Wales three days later.