Ronaldo’s Portugal return remains possible as Nations League holders reach quarter-finals

Cristiano Ronaldo can return to Portugal’s squad if he wishes, coach Jorge Jesus says, after the 41-year-old captain’s abrupt departure was followed by a 2-1 win over Norway that secured the holders’ place in the Nations League quarter-finals.

Ronaldo left the training camp after being an unused substitute in the victory against Norway and learning he would not start against Denmark. He later said on social media that he would explain his decision “in due course”.

“If he wants to, he’ll return to the national team. We can talk before the next call-up, but Cris is the one who’s going to decide,” Jesus said.

“He’s the one who should decide how he wants to end his time with the national team. 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.”

Jesus, who also coached Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, expects him to be available for the next Fifa international window if he chooses to come back. Portugal’s next match is on November 14 before they visit Wales three days later.

Portugal Football Federation president Pedro Proenca also said Ronaldo remained in the team’s plans, describing the dispute as a misunderstanding that should be settled internally.

“He is in the national team on sporting merit, and that must be unquestionable,” Proenca told RTP. “We have to pay tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Ronaldo is Portugal’s record scorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 international appearances. The five-time Ballon D’Or winner was absent as Portugal beat Denmark 4-2, before they maintained their perfect record in Group A4 against Norway.

Goncalo Ramos scored 11 minutes from time in Porto to secure a top-two finish and move Portugal six points clear of second-placed Denmark, who beat Wales 1-0 in Cardiff.

Norway led in the 36th minute when Kristoffer Ajer struck a dipping half-volley from the edge of the penalty area. Joao Cancelo equalised two minutes later with a powerful effort, while Ramos converted from his calf after Joao Felix headed the ball across goal.

“You need a lot of technical quality to beat Norway,” Jesus said. “We won without putting in a performance like the one against Denmark, but the important thing was the victory and qualification. I had a lot of belief in this team, but perhaps I didn’t expect us to have four wins from our first four games.”

Portugal’s evening was marred by Francisco Conceicao’s dismissal four minutes from the end. He was shown a second yellow card after giving the referee a cynical thumbs-up.

Elsewhere, Rasmus Hojlund’s 75th-minute penalty gave Denmark victory after Danny Ward had made several saves for Wales before conceding a foul on Gustav Isaksen.

The Netherlands moved top of Group A2 on goal difference after beating Serbia 2-1 in Eindhoven. Teun Koopmeiners opened the scoring before Mihajlo Cvetkovic equalised with his first international goal, and Joshua Zirkzee restored the Dutch lead in the 72nd minute.

Greece drew 0-0 with Germany in Thessaloniki, with Germany winning only one of their first four matches under Jurgen Klopp.

Austria drew 1-1 with Kosovo but stayed top of Group B3, while the Republic of Ireland and Israel drew 1-1 behind closed doors in Backa Topola. Azerbaijan beat Lithuania 1-0 in Group D2, and Malta defeated Andorra 1-0 in Group D1.