Cristiano Ronaldo remains eligible for Portugal selection, says Jorge Jesus

Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus says Cristiano Ronaldo remains eligible to return to the national team, despite leaving the squad during the current international break.

The 41-year-old forward had been expected to feature in Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway after taking part in the warm-up, but he did not play and subsequently departed the camp.

The incident raised questions over Ronaldo’s relationship with Jesus, who recently took charge, but the manager insists it has not undermined his authority.

“I don’t know what Cristiano may decide. I’ve already said what I had to say,” Jesus said after Portugal secured their place in the Nations League quarter-finals.

“For me, this was never an issue. Having a player who is a symbol like him does not mean there has to be anything non-negotiable on my part as a coach. Nothing happened that called my authority into question.”

Jesus confirmed Ronaldo could be included when Portugal name their next squad, provided he is still playing and wants to return.

“For me, Cristiano will be eligible for selection the next time the squad is announced, provided he is playing. If he wants to, he will return to the national team,” he said.

“You can’t break up a year-long friendship because of a situation I can’t even understand.”

The disagreement followed Ronaldo’s involvement in the warm-up without being selected to play. Jesus said similar situations occur with other players and only became a major issue because of Ronaldo’s status.

“This whole problem only arose because it was him, because he did or did not warm up. That happens with every player,” he said.

“Cristiano is different; he is a symbol, but for me it was never a problem.”

Portugal’s win against Norway confirmed their place in the Nations League quarter-finals with two group fixtures still to play in November.

Jesus said he would be willing to meet Ronaldo before then to resolve the matter, although he stressed that any agreement would require both parties to contribute.

“I agree, but that does not depend on me. Both people have to reach an understanding,” he said.

The manager also supported Bruno Fernandes’ description of Ronaldo as Portugal’s “greatest symbol”.

“I completely agree with what Bruno Fernandes said. That is also my view,” Jesus added.

Jesus revealed he had previously urged Ronaldo not to end his international career following Portugal’s World Cup exit.

“One of the things I told Cristiano was that he could not end his national-team career after losing at the World Cup and walking off in tears,” he said.

“He was supposed to play here today, but, given everything that happened, the situation changed. Everything has been said. I am the head coach, I select whoever I want, and I don’t ask anyone who I should select or who should play.”

He also rejected the suggestion that he owed Ronaldo an apology over the incident.

“It was because the player had been warming up. Now, apologise for what and to whom? I don’t apologise to anyone,” Jesus said.

Portugal play Denmark in their next Nations League match on Saturday, 14 November, at the Braga Municipal Stadium, with Ronaldo’s potential return likely to remain a central question.