Riyadh’s club calendar resumes on Friday with Cristiano Ronaldo expected to return straight to Al-Nassr’s starting side, three days after rejoining the Saudi club following an unsettled Portugal camp. Ange Postecoglou has found his leading forward fit and ready, while declining to be drawn into Ronaldo’s dispute with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo arrived back at Al-Nassr with a changed look and a difficult international break behind him. He later released a statement accusing Jesus of a breach of trust after leaving the Portugal squad, a departure that has placed fresh uncertainty around the captain’s international future.
Al-Nassr return after the international break
Postecoglou said Ronaldo was in the right condition to feature when Saudi Pro League action restarts.
“Cristiano is in good shape and mentally and physically ready, which is what matters most,” the Al-Nassr coach said. “As for Portugal and what happened there, I have been a national-team coach and did not like club managers speaking about those matters. I will not comment on it.”
Al-Nassr begin the new round fifth in the Saudi standings, with 14 points from seven matches. Al-Hilal lead the table on 18.
How the Portugal tension developed
- Following the World Cup, Roberto Martínez left the Portugal post and the federation appointed Jorge Jesus. At his presentation, Jesus was asked about Ronaldo’s place in the side and pointed to his previous readiness to make firm decisions involving Neymar, saying he would do likewise if required.
- Ronaldo started Jesus’s first match in charge, Portugal’s 1-0 victory over Wales. He was replaced in the 67th minute and this was his only appearance during the international window.
- For the next match against Norway, Ronaldo remained among the substitutes. He warmed up during the second half but was not sent on, and his frustration reportedly led to his departure from the squad. Portugal went on to play two further fixtures.
- Before Portugal’s game with Denmark, Jesus said he had spoken to Ronaldo and explained that his plan had been not to use him against either Norway or Denmark. He said his knowledge of Ronaldo’s physical condition came from their time together at Al-Nassr.
- Gonçalo Ramos was selected ahead of Ronaldo against Denmark, as Jesus had signalled. Ronaldo again began warming up shortly after half-time but was not introduced, while Ramos scored the winning goal away from home.
- Ronaldo left the pitch immediately after the final whistle, visibly unhappy. His absence from Tuesday training then intensified reports of a rupture between the captain and his new national-team manager.
- The Portuguese Football Federation president visited the squad’s base on Wednesday and met Jesus and Ronaldo in an effort to settle the matter. Reports described that meeting as constructive.
- Jesus’s subsequent media conference reopened the issue. Though he initially intended to take only two questions on Ronaldo, he faced six. He denied there was a dispute, saying he had intended to give Ronaldo 20 to 30 minutes against Norway before the match changed his plans.
- Jesus accepted that sending Ronaldo out to warm up just after the interval had been his mistake. He nevertheless stressed that, regardless of Ronaldo’s standing, squad-selection decisions belong to the coach.
- Shortly after that press conference, Ronaldo left Parken Stadium before training began and announced on social media that he was leaving the Portugal camp. Jesus had previously said Ronaldo would train as usual and that Ramos was likely to start again.
A familiar partnership under strain
The episode is particularly notable because Jesus knows Ronaldo from their work together in Riyadh. That relationship was central to the coach’s explanation of his management plan, but Ronaldo’s public accusation and early exit from the camp have turned an intended period of controlled minutes into a wider question over Portugal’s captain.
For now, Al-Nassr are set to benefit from Ronaldo’s swift return. Postecoglou’s immediate concern is the Saudi title race, with his side four points behind Al-Hilal after seven games, rather than the unresolved argument that followed the forward from Copenhagen back to the Gulf.
