️ Portugal national team manager Jorge Jesus has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo is welcome to return to the international squad if he chooses to, despite the 41-year-old forward abruptly walking out on his teammates earlier this week. The incident unfolded after Ronaldo was informed that he would be relegated to the substitute bench for the Nations League fixture against Denmark, prompting the veteran superstar to immediately board a private jet back to Saudi Arabia, where he plays for Al-Nassr.

️ Despite the turmoil and widespread media scrutiny surrounding Ronaldo's departure, Portugal became the first nation to secure qualification for the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League quarterfinals. The squad demonstrated its tactical depth without the iconic forward, overcoming Denmark 4-2 before mounting a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory against Norway on Sunday, courtesy of a strike from Joao Cancelo and an 86th-minute winner by Goncalo Ramos.

️ Addressing journalists following the victory, Jesus reiterated that the ultimate choice regarding Ronaldo’s international future lies entirely in the player's hands. The 72-year-old manager, who took over following Roberto Martinez's departure after the 2026 World Cup, revealed that he had explicitly told the forward that his presence was vital for the squad's leadership, whether on the pitch or supporting from the sidelines, and expressed readiness to hold talks ahead of the next round of matches in November.

️ Meanwhile, international teammate Bruno Fernandes moved to defuse mounting public controversy, urging fans and commentators not to sow division around the national team. Emphasizing that Ronaldo remains Portugal’s greatest sporting icon and deserves absolute respect after more than two decades representing the country across six World Cups, Fernandes stressed that the locker room remains fully united as Ronaldo approaches what he has previously signaled will likely be his final year in professional football.

Source: www.aljazeera.com