Porto’s football establishment has moved to lower the temperature around Cristiano Ronaldo, with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença making clear that the national captain is wanted back with the squad for November despite an unresolved disciplinary case.
Speaking at an event in the northern city on Saturday, Proença avoided discussing the preventive suspension handed to Ronaldo earlier in the day. The measure followed the 41-year-old’s departure from the Portugal camp on the eve of a Denmark match at the end of September, amid a dispute that has involved head coach Jorge Jesus.
Yet the federation president left little doubt over his preferred outcome. Portugal, the current Nations League holders, are aiming to retain that trophy, and Proença said the 25 players who began the last camp together want to be reunited at the next gathering. He expressed hope that Ronaldo would be among them.
Proença described the differences between the captain and the management as a misunderstanding that must be learned from. Portugal, he said, want the country’s greatest player back in an environment Ronaldo has occupied for more than two decades and where he has repeatedly said he feels happy. The FPF president said he would work to create the conditions for that return.
A disciplinary process still to run
The immediate decision rests with the FPF’s independent Disciplinary Council. Proença stressed that the body will conduct its own normal process and determine the consequences of Ronaldo’s suspension, rather than having its course dictated by federation leadership.
Portugal are due to host Denmark on November 14 before travelling to face Wales three days later. Proença said the federation is preparing for that window with all 25 players in mind, provided the sporting and disciplinary circumstances allow it.
He portrayed the wish for reconciliation as shared across the national setup: the federation, its president, the coach, the players and Ronaldo himself. Jorge Jesus has not spoken publicly since Ronaldo accused him of breaking his word during the recent crisis, but Proença said the coach also wants the captain available again if he is fit and eligible on sporting grounds.
“This is a moment for calm and serenity,” Proença said in substance, urging all sides to sit down and complete their respective work while the disciplinary authorities assess the case independently. He added that Ronaldo has made clear his own desire to return to the national side.
Ronaldo returned to club action on Friday after leaving the Portugal camp and marked the occasion with another landmark. He scored the 980th goal of his career as Al-Nassr won 3-0 against Diriyah in the Saudi league, a reminder that the question facing Portugal before November is not his scoring record, but whether the road back into the dressing room can be cleared.
