Portugal boss says door open for Ronaldo return

What the report says

Portugal manager Jorge Jesus says Cristiano Ronaldo could still return to the national team if the forward wants to, easing immediate uncertainty after Ronaldo left the squad during the latest international window. The BBC Sport Football report said the 41-year-old departed camp after being left out of the starting lineup against Denmark and then made an unused substitute against Norway. Ronaldo later posted online that he would explain his reasons to Portuguese fans in due course.

The article said Jesus, who also coached Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, made the comment after Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway in Nations League play, a result that secured the defending champions a place in the quarter-finals. Jesus indicated the decision would ultimately be Ronaldo’s, though he said the matter could be discussed before the next squad call-up. Portugal’s next Group A4 matches are at home to Denmark on 14 November and away to Wales three days later.

Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record goalscorer and appearance maker, with 146 goals in 234 caps, and has been central to the team’s recent success, including Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles. The BBC report noted that Goncalo Ramos has scored in all three games he has started in Ronaldo’s absence, while teammates Joao Cancelo and Nuno Mendes said Ronaldo would be welcomed back.