Portugal’s international break has left a crack in the dressing-room door, but Pedro Proença wants Cristiano Ronaldo back through it. The Portuguese Football Federation president has called for calm after the 41-year-old captain left the squad camp two weeks ago, insisting that the team should reunite for November despite an ongoing disciplinary case.
Key takeaways
- Portugal’s disciplinary council is examining Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the national-team camp.
- Pedro Proença said the federation and the coaching staff want their captain to return as soon as possible.
- Ronaldo left before Portugal’s third match of a four-game international window, a 4-2 win in Denmark.
- Portugal have already secured a place in the Nations League quarter-finals, scheduled for late March.
- Their next fixtures are at home to Denmark in Braga on 14 November and away to Wales three days later.
Federation seeks calm as disciplinary process begins
Proença addressed the situation shortly after confirmation that the federation’s disciplinary bodies had opened a procedure over Ronaldo’s conduct. Speaking in Porto at the opening of new training facilities, the former international referee argued for a measured response rather than a public confrontation.
“This is a moment for tranquillity and composure, for everyone to sit around the table,” Proença said. “We all want to have our captain back. A normal disciplinary procedure will take its course, and the appropriate bodies will assess the case independently.”
He stressed that the immediate priority was to rebuild a united squad around the next gathering. The Portugal coach has also made clear that he wants Ronaldo available again, with the federation president urging all parties to lower the temperature around the issue.
November reunion is the target
Ronaldo departed the camp on the eve of the third of Portugal’s four matches during the latest international window. Portugal nevertheless completed a 4-2 victory away to Denmark and have now booked their place in the Nations League last eight.
Proença said the federation were preparing for the next camp with all 25 players in mind, including their captain. “We want everyone, without exception, to be together in November,” he said. “We want to win the Nations League.”
Portugal’s focus now turns to their final two November fixtures: Denmark visit Braga on 14 November before Portugal travel to Wales on 17 November. The quarter-finals will follow at the end of March, with the federation hoping the disciplinary process will not prevent Ronaldo from returning to the group before then.
