Portugal coach Jorge Jesus says Cristiano Ronaldo can return to team ‘if he wants’

Porto: Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo remains welcome to rejoin the national squad if he chooses to do so, despite walking out on his team-mates, head coach Jorge Jesus stated on Sunday.

Jesus confirmed that Ronaldo can re-enter the setup "if he wants to", following Portugal's victory over Norway in his absence, a result that secured their passage to the Nations League quarter-finals.

The rift emerged last week after Jesus named the 41-year-old forward on the bench for Portugal's opening win against Norway. Ronaldo subsequently left the squad on Wednesday upon learning he would not feature in the starting line-up against Denmark.

"For me, Cris, in the next call-up, if he's playing at Al-Nassr, he'll be a player who can be called up," Jesus informed journalists, referring to Ronaldo's Saudi Arabian club side. "If he wants to, he'll return to the national team."

The national team boss indicated he remains open to holding talks with Ronaldo prior to Portugal's upcoming international fixtures in November.

"If he wants to, as we did before this call-up, we talked before the call-up, we can talk before the next call-up," Jesus added. "But Cris is the one who's going to decide."

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward stands as Portugal's all-time top goalscorer and most-capped international player.

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Jesus revealed he had communicated to Ronaldo the importance of his presence within the squad during his initial matches in charge, having succeeded Roberto Martinez following the 2026 World Cup.

"Cristiano should end his time in the national team the way he wants, he's the one who will decide how he wants it," Jesus explained.

"That's how we talked, the two of us -- I said, 'I need you'. 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."

Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença also addressed the situation: “Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in history. He has dedicated more than two decades to Portuguese football and is the ultimate symbol of Portuguese identity”.

“His presence with the national team is well-deserved thanks to his exceptional sporting abilities, and this is undeniable. He will always remain part of this group whenever he is fit and ready”.

“What happened between him and Jorge Jesus was simply a misunderstanding that needs to be resolved internally”.

“Cristiano is part of the national team; he is our icon, and he captained the team in the first of the four matches”.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese icon and an exceptional player. He could have ended his career at the World Cup, but he didn't because of his love for his national team”.

“I can attest to the bond he shares with the Portuguese people and our national team”.

“Now that the four matches are over, we have the time and calm to sit down together and resolve the misunderstanding”.

“Cristiano is part of our legacy, and he will always be here whenever the coach wants him”.

Ronaldo, who made his senior debut for Portugal in 2003 as an 18-year-old, has previously indicated that this will "probably" mark his final year in professional football.

The forward has been a central fixture for his country across more than two decades, featuring at six separate World Cup tournaments.

Even without Ronaldo, Portugal became the first side to lock in a quarter-final spot, achieving qualification with two group matches to spare.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo's long-time rival Lionel Messi is set to make his farewell appearance for Argentina in a friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.