The noise around Portugal’s camp had barely settled when its federation moved to calm it. Cristiano Ronaldo left the squad without permission last Wednesday after tensions with coach Jorge Jesus, but the door remains open for the 41-year-old to return before the next international gathering.
Portugal completed a fourth win from four matches with a 2-1 victory over Norway on Sunday, despite the disruption surrounding the Al-Nassr forward. Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation since 2025, insisted Ronaldo still has a place in the national-team picture.
Proença described the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as the greatest player in Portugal’s history and said his continued involvement is justified by his sporting level. “He will remain part of this group as long as he is fit and ready,” the federation president said.
He characterised the disagreement between Ronaldo and Jesus as an internal matter rather than a terminal break. Proença said the forward could have chosen to end his international career at the World Cup, but stayed involved because of his attachment to Portugal and its supporters.
With the four matches now completed, the federation believes there is room to address the episode without the pressure of a live international window. Proença stressed that Ronaldo remains part of Portuguese football’s heritage and said he would be available whenever the coach wanted him.
Jesus also left the decision in Ronaldo’s hands after the win over Norway. “If he wants to, he will come back to the national team,” the coach said. “We can discuss it before the next call-up, but Cris will make the decision.”
