Portugal FA president brings forward plans for emergency Ronaldo talks

Portugal Football Federation president Pedro Proenca has changed his schedule to hold an emergency meeting with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus and captain Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Portuguese media reports.

The meeting is expected to address Ronaldo’s reaction to being left on the bench for the entire Nations League match against Norway, which Portugal won 2-1 in the second round.

Ronaldo did not take part in Portugal’s training session on Tuesday. He returned to the team hotel, with the federation explaining that he needed to complete an individual workout in the gym because Malmo did not have the equipment required for his training.

The decision has attracted attention after Ronaldo appeared unhappy during the match against Norway. The 7 appeared frustrated in front of the cameras, having been left out of the team for the first time in 18 years.

Six days earlier, Ronaldo had been criticised for a lack of attacking impact during Portugal’s 1-0 victory over Wales. His omission against Norway followed those criticisms, despite the Al-Nassr forward pledging soon beforehand to put the national team first.

“I am here to help, whether I play or not. I am just one of many. It has always been that way and it will remain that way,” Ronaldo said.

“I will do whatever the coach asks of me: play, come off, or not play at all. The honour of representing Portugal is greater than anything else.”

Jesus said after the Norway match that he had initially planned to use Ronaldo as a substitute, but ultimately decided not to make the change.

“I did not realise that he was upset. He is the only one who can answer that,” Jesus said. “What is certain is that his not playing does not mean I do not count on him.

“Before the match, I told him: ‘I will not start you, but I will bring you on as a substitute.’ That is football; it imposes its own rules. In this particular situation, it was not justified to change the striker, especially knowing that we have a match in Denmark and that he could be the first choice for that game.”

Ronaldo was seen at the Eleda Stadium 30 minutes before training began while Portugal were based in Malmo, Sweden, near Copenhagen. After a brief conversation with Jesus, he returned to the hotel.

Jesus denied there was any dispute with his captain and gave a short account of their subsequent contact, saying: “I speak to Cristiano Ronaldo every day, every minute.”

Proenca had been due to travel to the Azores on Wednesday to watch Portugal Under-21s play Gibraltar. Victory would secure qualification for the European Under-21 Championship. He was then expected to travel to Denmark on Thursday for the senior team’s match against the Scandinavian side.

However, French outlet Foot Mercato reported that Proenca will no longer go to the Azores and is instead heading to Copenhagen before the emergency discussions involving Jesus and Ronaldo in Malmo.