Portugal leaves door open for Cristiano Ronaldo’s return after camp exit
publishers 26articles 47first reported 1 Oct, 08:25 UTCdeveloping since 1 Oct · 26 editions
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus said Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the national team if he chooses, days after the captain left the squad upon learning he would not start a Nations League match against Denmark.
Ronaldo had been an unused substitute in Portugal’s 2-1 away win over Norway and departed the training camp after Jesus publicly said the 41-year-old would again begin on the bench. In a social media post, Ronaldo said he had made the decision after speaking with Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proenca and would explain his reasons “in due course.” Jesus denied reports of a rift, while acknowledging Ronaldo had been disappointed not to play.
Portugal subsequently won 4-2 in Denmark and beat Norway 2-1 at home on Sunday, securing a Nations League quarterfinal place with a perfect Group A4 record.
After Sunday’s victory, Jesus said Ronaldo remained eligible for selection if he continued playing for Al-Nassr. “If he wants to, he’ll return to the national team,” the coach said, adding that Ronaldo should decide how he wants to conclude his international career. Proenca described the episode as a misunderstanding to be resolved internally and said Ronaldo remained in Portugal’s plans on sporting merit.
Midfielder Bruno Fernandes also denied divisions within the squad and called Ronaldo Portugal’s greatest footballing symbol. Ronaldo is the country’s record scorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 international appearances.
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Written from 8 articles, 7 with the publisher's own text; 4 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 92 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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