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Jorge Jesus Says Cristiano Ronaldo Can Return to Portugal Squad
Cristiano Ronaldo was not in Portugal’s team for a game against Norway.
He had been upset after learning he would not start against Denmark and left the squad.
Portugal’s coach, Jorge Jesus, says Ronaldo can come back if he wants and is playing for his club, Al-Nassr.
Jesus says Ronaldo can decide whether to return and that they can talk before the next games in November.
Portugal beat Norway without him.
That win helped Portugal become the first team to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals.
Two group games were still left.
Ronaldo has said this may be his final year playing football.
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus said Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the national team if he wants.
Jesus said Ronaldo would be eligible for a call-up if he is playing for Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo left the squad after being told he would not start against Denmark, following his benching against Norway.
Jesus said he is willing to speak with Ronaldo before Portugal’s next matches in November.
Portugal beat Norway without Ronaldo and became the first team to reach the Nations League quarter-finals, with two group games remaining.
- Who
- Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal coach Jorge Jesus.
- What
- Jesus said Ronaldo can return to Portugal’s squad if he wishes and is playing for Al-Nassr.
- Where
- Portugal’s national team; the article does not specify where Jesus made his comments.
- When
- Jesus made the comments on Sunday; the article was published October 5, 2026. Portugal’s next matches are in November.
- Why
- Ronaldo’s return is his decision after a dispute over being benched and not starting against Denmark.
Ronaldo’s position
Jesus’s position
Return to the national team
Ronaldo’s position
Ronaldo left the squad after learning he would not start against Denmark; the article does not report a direct statement from him about returning.
Jesus’s position
Jesus said Ronaldo can return if he wishes, provided he is playing for Al-Nassr, and that the final decision is Ronaldo’s.
Ronaldo’s role in the squad
Ronaldo’s position
Ronaldo had been left on the bench for Portugal’s first win over Norway and was told he would not start against Denmark.
Jesus’s position
Jesus said he needs Ronaldo close to him whether he is playing or not, and wants him to end his national-team career as he chooses.
Key facts
- Coach
- Jorge Jesus
- Player
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Return condition stated
- Ronaldo must be playing for Al-Nassr and choose to return.
- Dispute
- Ronaldo walked out of the squad after learning he would not start against Denmark; he had been benched against Norway.
- Portugal result
- Portugal beat Norway without Ronaldo.
- Qualification
- Portugal became the first team to secure a Nations League quarter-final place, with two group games remaining.
- Next matches
- November
Quotes
Jorge Jesus
Portugal national team coach
“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.”
news18.com
“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. If he wants to, he’ll return to the national team.”
news18.com
Sources
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