Cristiano Ronaldo Set For Portugal Return After Explosive Fallout

Cristiano Ronaldo is in Portugal's preliminary squad for next month's UEFA Nations League matches, opening the door to an international return after his fallout with coach Jorge Jesus, a federation source told AFP on Tuesday. The 41-year-old abruptly left the Portugal camp on September 30 during the opening phase of the Nations League campaign before accusing Jesus of breaking a promise regarding playing time. A spokesperson for the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) confirmed reports that Ronaldo is in line for a return to the squad ahead of matches at home against Denmark and away to Wales on November 14 and 17, respectively.

Jesus will announce his final squad on November 6, the spokesperson added.

The FPF last week announced that Ronaldo had been handed a 30-day suspension for leaving the national team camp without permission. The suspension was backdated, meaning he will be eligible for selection again by the end of this week.

Ronaldo apologised to supporters earlier this month and said he would accept any punishment imposed on him.

In a social media post shortly after departing the camp, he accused Jesus of promising him playing time against Norway before failing to honour that commitment. However, Ronaldo insisted he was not retiring from international football.

He also claimed that Jesus had failed to mention several points they had agreed upon during a press conference before the match against Denmark, further fuelling the disagreement.

Reigning champions Portugal won all four of their Nations League matches, three of them without Ronaldo, and secured qualification for the quarter-finals with two games to spare.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner remains the all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player in men's international football.

Ronaldo, who made his Portugal debut in 2003 at the age of 18, has said this will "probably" be his final year in professional football.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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