Portugal national team coach Jorge Jesus told reporters on Sunday that Cristiano Ronaldo can re‑join the squad “if he wants to,” after the 41‑year‑old striker walked out on the team following a benching in the Nations League.
Portugal secured a place in the Nations League quarter‑finals by beating Norway without Ronaldo in the lineup, becoming the first side to clinch a spot with two group matches still to play.
The dispute began last week when Jesus left Ronaldo on the bench for Portugal’s first win over Norway. Ronaldo then left the squad on Wednesday after learning he would not start in the upcoming match against Denmark.
“If he wants to, he’ll return to the national team,” Jesus said, adding that the player could speak with him before Portugal’s next matches in November.
Jesus emphasized that Ronaldo, Portugal’s all‑time leading scorer and most‑capped player, remains eligible for selection while playing for Saudi club Al‑Nassr, and that the decision rests entirely with the veteran. Ronaldo, who debuted for Portugal in 2003 at age 18 and has featured in six World Cups, has hinted this could be his final year in football.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
