Cristiano Ronaldo faces Portugal backlash over exit

Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Portugal duty is now in doubt while Jorge Jesus remains coach, with the forward also facing a possible suspension of around six months. His explanation for leaving the national-team camp has intensified the dispute rather than ended it.

Ronaldo was upset after starting on the bench against Norway and remaining unused. That came days after he had played a little more than an hour against Wales. He said Jesus had told him to be ready for a 30-minute appearance, but he spent the second half warming up without being sent on. The Al-Nassr forward viewed that decision as a broken commitment.

A meeting involving Jesus, Ronaldo and Simão Coutinho, Al-Nassr’s sporting director and a trusted figure for the player, was intended to settle the disagreement. Ronaldo said the proposed solution included a public apology from the coach. That did not happen, leaving the Portuguese football community reacting strongly to his lengthy statement.

Former Portugal international António Simões has called for dialogue and reconciliation, while also questioning Ronaldo’s current level and leaving any return to the coach’s assessment. Bernardo Ribeiro, editor-in-chief of Record, said Ronaldo still has significant ground to cover before repairing his relationship with the federation. Under the current situation, a comeback with Jesus in charge appears blocked, and Ronaldo could be punished for leaving the camp.