5 October 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the Portugal national team if he wants to, coach Jorge Jesus has said, leaving the door open for the veteran forward after his abrupt departure from the squad last week.
Jesus made the comments after Portugal defeated Norway 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday. The result secured Portugal’s place in the quarter-finals and showed that the team could produce a positive result without its long-time captain.
Ronaldo, 41, left Portugal’s training camp on September 30 after learning that he would not start against Denmark. He had already been an unused substitute during Portugal’s previous match against Norway. His departure sparked considerable attention because of his status as one of the most important players in the history of Portuguese football.
Speaking after the victory over Norway, Jesus said Ronaldo’s return would ultimately be the player’s decision. The coach indicated that he would remain eligible for selection if he wanted to continue playing for Portugal.
Jesus, who previously coached Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, said he still needs the forward around the national team, whether he plays every match or not. He also stressed that Ronaldo should have the opportunity to decide how he wants to conclude his international career.
The situation developed after Ronaldo was left on the bench for Portugal’s Nations League meeting with Norway. He did not enter the match, and Jesus subsequently indicated that Ronaldo would not start the following game against Denmark.
Ronaldo then announced his decision to leave the national-team camp. In a statement shared on social media, he said he had spoken with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença before making the decision. Ronaldo did not immediately explain the full reasons behind his departure, saying that he would reveal them “in due course.”
Jesus has maintained that there was no major personal dispute between him and Ronaldo. Before the latest developments, the coach had emphasized that selection decisions were based on sporting considerations and that every player had to accept competition for places.
Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Portugal continued its Nations League campaign successfully. The team defeated Denmark 4-2 before beating Norway 2-1, becoming the first team to qualify for the competition’s quarter-finals.
The results could provide Portugal with confidence as the team moves forward, but Ronaldo remains a major figure within the squad. He is Portugal’s record goalscorer and most-capped player, with 146 international goals in 234 appearances, according to recent reports.
Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença has also indicated that Ronaldo remains part of the team’s plans. Proença described the episode as a misunderstanding that should be resolved internally and emphasized that Ronaldo’s selection should continue to be based on sporting merit.
The coach’s latest comments therefore leave the possibility of Ronaldo returning for Portugal’s upcoming international fixtures. Jesus said the two could speak before the next squad announcement, making clear that the final decision would rest with the player.
Ronaldo’s future with Portugal has attracted particular interest because he has already spent more than two decades representing his country. He made his senior debut in 2003 and has since become the most prominent player in the history of Portuguese football.
Earlier in September, Ronaldo had indicated that he intended to continue playing for Portugal. He said at the time that he believed he could still contribute to the national team both through his performances and his experience. He also acknowledged that he would leave when he felt Portugal no longer needed him.
That makes the latest situation particularly significant. Ronaldo’s decision to leave the camp does not currently appear to have ended his international career, with Jesus explicitly keeping the door open for a return.
Portugal’s next Nations League fixtures are scheduled for November, when the team will host Denmark before travelling to Wales. Whether Ronaldo is included in the squad will depend on his decision and the discussions between the player and coaching staff.
For now, Jesus has made his position clear: Ronaldo can return if he wants to. The veteran forward will therefore have the final say over whether he continues his international journey with Portugal.