The door is open! Jesus promises Ronaldo a call-up if he wants to return
Jorge Jesus has extended an olive branch. The Portugal coach has declared that Cristiano Ronaldo will be called up for the next international break if he wants to return, putting the ball firmly in the captain's court after the most turbulent fortnight of his legendary international career.
Details: Speaking to the media at the end of the international break, Jesus left no ambiguity about his intentions: 'Cristiano will be called up for the next international break. We can talk before the next squad list, but Cris is the one who will decide... if he wants, he will return.' The coach attached one condition to the promised recall, stating he is ready to call the forward up if he is playing with Al Nassr. Jesus also revealed part of their private conversation and insisted there was never a genuine conflict: 'I told him: I need you, I need you close to me, playing or not playing.' The 72-year-old even used the Norway game to make his point, noting that several other players warmed up without entering the pitch and nobody made it a problem.
The promise marks a stunning turn in a saga that has dominated Portuguese football for two weeks. Ronaldo left the national team camp in Copenhagen after being benched for the entire 2-1 win over Norway, was chased to the airport by Jesus and federation president Pedro Proença, and then watched from afar as Portugal beat Denmark 4-2 without him. He did not return for the final match of the break against Norway, flying back to Riyadh to rejoin Al Nassr, while the Portuguese federation weighed possible sanctions over the unauthorized departure. The affair has turned ugly in public: one supporter insulted Jesus at Porto Airport, police had to intervene, and the iconic number 7 shirt was already reassigned to Rafael Leão on the UEFA website.
It's worth noting that Ronaldo has never announced his retirement from international football and remains the all-time leading scorer and most-capped player in men's internationals, with 146 goals in 234 appearances. He is also sitting on 979 career goals, 21 short of the mythical 1,000 mark, and has hinted he would love to reach it in a Portugal shirt. Jesus knows the captain better than most: the pair won the Saudi Pro League together at Al Nassr last season before Jesus took over the national team, and it was the federation that convinced Ronaldo to postpone his farewell until 2027. The next Nations League window in November will reveal whether the reconciliation becomes reality.
Reminder: Will Ronaldo play at the 2030 World Cup? Jorge Jesus responds.
Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
