Jorge Jesus leaves door open for Ronaldo Portugal return

Cristiano Ronaldo can still play for Portugal if he wants to. That is the message from manager Jorge Jesus after a turbulent international break.

Ronaldo, 41, left the squad’s Nations League camp after sitting out the 2-1 win over Norway as an unused substitute. He then learned he would not start the next game against Denmark, and chose to leave, according to BBC.

Jesus says the decision now rests with the player. “He will decide how he ends his time” with the national team, the coach said. Jesus added that he had told Ronaldo: “I need you to be close to me, playing or not playing.”

It was a striking moment in a remarkable career. The Norway game was Ronaldo’s first time as an unused substitute in a competitive Portugal match since 2008. He had started the 1-0 opening win over Wales. He stands on 146 goals in 234 appearances, Portugal’s record scorer.

On the pitch, Portugal coped without him. The win over Norway sealed a place in the last eight of the Nations League, UEFA’s tournament for national teams, with Portugal defending the title they won last season. Goncalo Ramos started in Ronaldo’s place and scored, his third goal in three starts in Ronaldo’s absence. Portugal sit six points clear of second-placed Denmark in Group A4.

His teammates have kept the tone warm. Defender Nuno Mendes said the squad would receive Ronaldo “with open arms” if he returns. Midfielder Bruno Fernandes rejected talk of a rift in the camp after the departure, according to Reuters, although Jesus has acknowledged tensions before Ronaldo left in Copenhagen.

The full story of the split is still unclear. Ronaldo has said he will in due course tell Portuguese people the truth about his reasons for leaving. Spanish outlet Marca reported that Jesus and the federation president tried to stop him leaving at the airport, a claim carried by Reuters. The Mirror has reported, as rumour, that Ronaldo rejected a meeting to resolve the dispute.

Another report, from Portuguese paper A Bola via World Soccer Talk, suggests Jesus would support a proper farewell match for Ronaldo. Jesus knows him well from their time together at Saudi club Al-Nassr.

What makes this stand out is the history. Ronaldo helped Portugal win Euro 2016 and two Nations Leagues. For many fans, he is the symbol of the team’s modern era, a word Jesus himself used this week.

For now, Portugal move on. They host Denmark on 14 November and visit Wales three days later to finish the group. Whether Ronaldo is part of what comes next is, Jesus insists, up to Ronaldo.