Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League win over Norway brought another successful night on the pitch, but the conversation around the squad remains centred on Cristiano Ronaldo and his unresolved situation with head coach Jorge Jesus. Three victories have arrived in his absence, yet senior players have made clear that they expect the captain to be welcomed back.
Key takeaways
- Portugal have won all three matches played without Ronaldo during the current international window.
- Nuno Mendes said Ronaldo, like any absent player, would be received “with open arms” if he returns.
- João Cancelo scored Portugal’s first-half equaliser just two minutes after Norway had taken the lead.
- Cancelo described Ronaldo as Portugal’s captain, a national-team symbol and the country’s greatest player.
- Federation president Pedro Proença said selection remains a sporting decision for Jorge Jesus.
A squad waiting for a resolution
Ronaldo left the Portugal camp during the international break amid tension with Jesus, but the players who started against Norway offered a united public message after the fourth-round Nations League fixture.
Nuno Mendes was direct when asked whether the 40-year-old still belonged to the group. The left-back said there should be no question over it, adding that Ronaldo and every player not present in this window remain welcome. “If he comes back, we are here to receive him with open arms,” he said.
On the opposite flank, Cancelo had already supplied a major contribution to the result. Norway went ahead, only for the right-back to level the match with a spectacular strike two minutes later, setting Portugal on course for the 2-1 victory.
Afterwards, Cancelo said the matter would be addressed by Jesus and Proença, while expressing confidence that it would be settled. He called Ronaldo the side’s captain, an enduring symbol of the national team and Portugal’s finest-ever player.
Jesus retains the final call
Proença underlined Ronaldo’s standing in Portuguese football while insisting that his future call-ups must follow the same principle applied to every player. He said the forward is in the national side on sporting merit and will continue to be part of the group whenever he is technically fit to contribute.
The federation president characterised the dispute as an internal misunderstanding requiring an internal solution. He also pointed to the bond demonstrated by the players, noting that Ronaldo had been the first captain across the four matches and that Jesus has said he counts on him when he is available.
Jesus has not indicated that he will apologise to Ronaldo, but his position has softened the prospect of a permanent split. The coach’s message was simple: if Ronaldo wants to return, he can return.
