Jorge Jesus has started his tenure as Portugal's head coach on a high note, guiding the national side to victories over Wales and Norway in the UEFA Nations League. Yet, as the squad prepares for Thursday's away match in Denmark, the focus has shifted to an urgent sit-down with captain Cristiano Ronaldo, described by insiders as a "crisis" meeting.
The 41‑year‑old forward, who has been a fixture in Portugal's starting eleven since his debut in 2003, did not set foot on the pitch during Sunday's 1‑0 win against Norway. He also missed the team training sessions on Monday and Tuesday. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has not disclosed any injury or medical problem to explain his absence, leaving fans and pundits to speculate about the underlying reasons.
Ronaldo's role in the national team has become a recurring topic of debate in recent seasons. After two decades as an automatic starter, he was surprisingly left out of the line‑up by former coach Fernando Santos for Portugal's knockout games at the 2022 World Cup against Switzerland and Morocco. When Roberto Martínez took over, he reinstated Ronaldo, starting him in all ten of Portugal's fixtures during the qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 and the summer World Cup finals.
While his long‑time rival Lionel Messi, now 39, is set to make his final appearance for Argentina against Benin, there is no indication that Ronaldo, who currently plies his trade with Al Nassr, intends to retire from international duty anytime soon. In a recent interview he hinted that he might hang up his club boots at the end of the 2026 season, but he stressed that he still believes he can contribute to the national side. "I'm a thinker. You have to think," Ronaldo said when asked about retirement after this World Cup.
"That's why you see me here now. It means I will continue. I had a conversation with the FPF president and our coach. I still believe I can help the team achieve its goals and I will quit when I feel I no longer add value." During the Wales match, Ronaldo recorded seven attempts without finding the net before being substituted in the 65th minute for Gonçalo Ramos.
Coach Jesus defended the decision, explaining that fresh legs were needed to press the Welsh centre‑backs and provide speed in the first line of defence. Three days later, against Norway, Ronaldo remained on the bench for the entire game. "Whether we like it or not, Cris isn't like João Neves, who is 20 and can play every three days," Jesus remarked, highlighting the veteran's need for careful management. Jesus had initially indicated that Ronaldo would be involved in the Norway fixture, albeit not as a starter.
When the final whistle blew in Oslo, the captain walked straight from the substitute bench down the tunnel, bypassing the customary team acknowledgment of the Portuguese supporters in the stands. After the match, Jesus said it "wasn't the right moment for Cris to come on" and that the flow of the game dictated his decision. Anonymous sources told The Athletic that Ronaldo was visibly frustrated by being left out, noting that this was only the third occasion he has been an unused substitute for Portugal – the previous instances being a Euro 2008 group game (after qualification was already secured) and a friendly against Croatia ahead of Euro 2024. The relationship between Jesus and Ronaldo has generally been professional and respectful.
Prior to his appointment as national coach, Jesus spent a year at Al Nassr, where he guided the Saudi club to the league title and worked closely with Ronaldo. The 72‑year‑old manager said his move to Saudi Arabia was largely motivated by Ronaldo's invitation and his willingness to coach the star striker. Nevertheless, Portuguese daily Record described the latest episode as an "internal earthquake". On Tuesday, Ronaldo posted a photo of himself in national training gear, accompanied by a heart emoji and the Portuguese flag, a subtle gesture that many interpreted as a call for unity.
The following day, sports newspaper A Bola dominated its front page with the headline "situacao de crise" (crisis situation), while B24 reported that an "emergency" meeting had been arranged involving Ronaldo, Jesus and FPF president Pedro Proença. According to the federation, the gathering was not a formal meeting but a direct conversation between Jesus and Ronaldo, aimed at clearing the air and reaffirming mutual respect.
Publicly, Jesus has emphasized that Ronaldo remains a vital figure for Portugal, regardless of whether he takes the field. At the start of the international break, Ronaldo hinted to the media that some segments of the Portuguese audience no longer wanted him in the squad.
"I feel the Portuguese fans like me, but I understand that some TV channels want to criticize me," he said. "They've tried to kill me, but only with a shotgun. They are dying for me not to come to the national team anymore." Ronaldo's statistics are unparalleled: 234 caps and 146 goals, making him the most‑capped and highest‑scoring player in Portuguese history.
He has featured in twelve major tournaments, lifting the Euro 2016 trophy and securing Nations League titles in 2019 and 2024. His legacy as a national icon is unquestionable, yet the conversation about his future with the Seleção continues to dominate headlines.
The upcoming match in Denmark will likely serve as a litmus test for how the coaching staff balances Ronaldo's experience with the physical demands of modern football. Whether the veteran will return to the starting lineup, remain a strategic substitute, or eventually step aside for the next generation remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the dialogue between Jesus, Ronaldo and the federation will shape the narrative of Portuguese football for the remainder of the season. This report originally appeared in The Athletic.