Jorge Jesus has begun 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 fixture in Denmark, the atmosphere has been dominated by an urgent "crisis" discussion involving captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 41-year-old forward, who has been a fixture in Portugal's starting eleven since his debut in 2003, was conspicuously absent from the action on Sunday when Portugal edged Norway 1-0. He also missed the team training sessions on Monday and Tuesday. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has not disclosed any injury or medical problem that would explain his exclusion. Ronaldo's place in the national team has become a recurring topic of debate in recent years.
After two decades of automatic selection, the five‑time Ballon d'Or winner was left out of the starting lineup by former coach Fernando Santos for Portugal's knockout matches 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 games during the 2024 European Championship qualifying campaign and the summer World Cup finals. While his long‑time rival Lionel Messi, now 39, is set to play his final match for Argentina next week against Benin, there is no indication that Al Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo intends to retire from international football anytime soon.
In a recent interview he said he would "probably" hang up his club boots at the end of the season in June, but insisted that he still believes he can contribute to Portugal's cause before the next World Cup. Ronaldo explained his mindset when asked about retirement after this year's World Cup: "I'm a thinker. You have to think," he said.
"That's why you see me here now. It means I will continue. I spoke with the federation president and our coach.
I still feel I can help the national team achieve its goals and I will step away only when I sense I'm no longer adding value." In the 1-0 win over Wales, Ronaldo recorded seven attempts on goal before being substituted in the 65th minute for Gonçalo Ramos. Coach Jesus defended the decision, stating, "We needed fresh legs, someone who could press the Welsh centre‑backs and prevent them from playing out from the back, a player with more speed in the first line of defence." Three days later, against Norway, Ronaldo remained on the bench for the entire match.
Jesus clarified the rationale, noting, "Whether we like it or not, Cris isn't like João Neves, who is 20 and can play every three days." The coach had initially indicated that Ronaldo might feature, but he was unlikely to start. When the final whistle blew in Oslo, Ronaldo walked straight from the bench down the tunnel, bypassing the customary gathering with his teammates to acknowledge the visiting Portuguese supporters.
After the game, Jesus said it "wasn't the right moment for Cris to come on" and that the flow of the match forced a change of plan. Anonymous sources told The Athletic that Ronaldo was visibly irritated by being left out, marking only the third occasion he has been an unused substitute for Portugal – the previous instances being a Euro 2008 group match (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 season at Al Nassr, where he managed Ronaldo and led the Saudi club to a league title.
The 72‑year‑old manager has said his move to Saudi Arabia was motivated by Ronaldo's invitation and his willingness to work with the star striker. Nevertheless, Portuguese sports daily Record described the current situation as an "internal earthquake." On Tuesday, Ronaldo posted a photo of himself in national‑team training gear, accompanied by a heart emoji and the Portuguese flag, hinting at lingering tension. The following day, another newspaper, A Bola, featured a front‑page headline reading "situacao de crise" (crisis situation).
B24 reported that an "emergency" meeting had been arranged involving Ronaldo, Jesus, and FPF president Pedro Proença. The purpose, according to the federation, was not a formal meeting but a direct conversation between the coach and the captain, aimed at clearing the air and restoring mutual respect. Publicly, Jesus has reiterated Ronaldo's importance, stating that the forward is "a vital figure for Portugal, whether he plays or not." At the start of the international break, Ronaldo told the media that some segments of the Portuguese public no longer wanted him in the squad.
"I feel the Portuguese fans like me, but I understand that some TV channels want to criticise 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 underline his iconic status: 234 caps and 146 goals, the most appearances and goals any player has recorded for a single nation. He has represented Portugal in twelve major tournaments, lifting the European Championship in 2016 and securing Nations League titles in 2019 and 2024.
Despite his undeniable legacy, the debate over his future with the national side persists, fueled by concerns about age, fitness, and the emergence of younger talents. The upcoming "crisis" meeting is expected to address these issues head‑on, with the aim of defining a clear path forward—whether that involves Ronaldo transitioning to a mentorship role, being used more selectively, or eventually stepping aside for the next generation. The situation reflects a broader challenge faced by many footballing nations: balancing respect for a legendary figure with the need to evolve tactically and physically. As Portugal heads into the Denmark match, all eyes will be on how the coach, the captain, and the federation navigate this delicate moment, and whether a resolution can be found that honors Ronaldo's contributions while keeping the team competitive on the international stage.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic. © 2026 The Athletic Media Company