Portugal Coach Leaves Door Open for Cristiano Ronaldo Return | ChatZyr
By Sports Desk | Team ChatZyr
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has opened the door for Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the national team after the captain abruptly left the squad last week.
Ronaldo departed Portugal’s training camp after being an unused substitute in the team’s win over Norway and learning that he would not start against Denmark. He later said on social media that 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 told reporters after Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway on Sunday.
Jesus, who previously coached Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, said the forward remains important to Portugal whether he is playing or not.
Portugal have continued their Nations League campaign without Ronaldo, beating Denmark 4-2 before defeating Norway 2-1. The results maintained their perfect Group A4 record and secured a place in the quarter-finals.
The 41-year-old Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record goalscorer and most-capped player, with 146 international goals in 234 appearances.
Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca also said Ronaldo remains part of the team’s plans and described the situation as a misunderstanding that should be resolved internally.
“He is in the national team on sporting merit, and that must be unquestionable,” Proenca told RTP, while praising Ronaldo’s contribution to Portuguese football.
Jesus expects Ronaldo to be available for the next international window if the forward chooses to return.
Portugal’s next Nations League fixtures are at home against Denmark on November 14, followed by an away match against Wales on November 17.
Published on Chatzyr.net
Written By Sports Desk | Team ChatZyr
Disclaimer: This report is based on statements from Portugal’s head coach and football federation officials, along with publicly available match information. Ronaldo’s future involvement with the national team remains subject to his own decision and the team’s future selections.
