ِDID Press: Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has said Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision over his future with the national team rests entirely with the player, while describing the recent dispute as a “misunderstanding.”
Jesus said Ronaldo remains one of the biggest symbols in the history of Portugal and Portuguese football and deserves to decide for himself how he wants to conclude his international career. He added that he would welcome Ronaldo back to the squad if the forward wants to return and remains active with Al-Nassr.
The coach also highlighted Ronaldo’s leadership role, noting that the veteran forward has been Portugal’s captain for years. At the same time, Bruno Fernandes has taken on greater responsibilities within the team as Portugal’s squad has evolved. Fernandes has rejected suggestions of divisions within the national team and called for the controversy to end without further conflict.
Ronaldo, 41, left Portugal’s training camp last week after learning he would not start against Denmark. Portugal subsequently won 4–2 against Denmark and 2–1 against Norway, securing a place in the Nations League quarter-finals without him.