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, the preparation for the upcoming clash with Denmark has been dominated by a tense "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, sat out the entire Sunday win over Norway and missed training sessions on Monday and Tuesday. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has not disclosed any injury or medical problem that would justify his absence.
Ronaldo's role in the national team has become a recurring subject of debate in recent years. After two decades as an automatic starter, 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. His successor, Roberto Martinez, reinstated him, selecting Ronaldo from the first whistle in all ten of Portugal's games during the 2024 European Championship qualifiers and the summer World Cup finals. While his long‑time rival Lionel Messi, now 39, is set to make his final appearance for Argentina next week against Benin, there is no indication that Al Nassr striker Ronaldo intends to retire from international duty.
In a recent interview he hinted that he might hang up his boots at the club level at the end of the 2026 season, but he insisted he still believes he can contribute to Portugal's ambitions. "I'm a thinker.
You have to think," Ronaldo explained when asked whether he had contemplated retirement after this World Cup. "That's why you see me here now. It means I will continue.
I spoke with the FPF 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 without finding the net before being substituted in the 65th minute for Gonçalo Ramos.
Jesus defended the decision, saying fresh legs were needed to press the Welsh centre‑backs and provide speed in the defensive line. Three days later, against Norway, Ronaldo remained an unused substitute. "Whether we like it or not, Cris isn't like João Neves, who is 20 and can play every three days," Jesus remarked, underscoring the physical demands on a player of Ronaldo's age.
Jesus had initially indicated that Ronaldo might feature in the Norway match, albeit not as a starter. When the final whistle blew in Oslo, Ronaldo walked straight from the bench down the tunnel, bypassing the customary team greeting with the Portuguese fans. After the game, Jesus said the timing was not right for Ronaldo to be introduced and that the flow of the match dictated his decision. Anonymous sources told The Athletic that Ronaldo was visibly frustrated by being left out, noting it was only the third occasion he had 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 before Euro 2024.
The relationship between Jesus and Ronaldo is historically strong. Prior to his appointment as national coach, Jesus spent a year at Al Nassr, where he guided Ronaldo to a Saudi Pro League title. The 72‑year‑old manager 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 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, perhaps signaling a desire for reconciliation. The following day, the newspaper A Bola featured the headline "situacao de crise" (crisis situation) on its front page, while outlet B24 reported an "emergency" meeting scheduled between Ronaldo, Jesus, and FPF president Pedro Proença. The purpose of the gathering, according to the federation, was not a formal meeting but a direct conversation between Jesus and Ronaldo, both of whom share mutual respect. Publicly, Jesus has emphasized that Ronaldo remains "an important figure for Portugal, playing or not." At the start of the international break, Ronaldo told the media that some segments of Portuguese society seemed to no longer want him in the squad.
"I feel the Portuguese fans support 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 statistical record is unparalleled: 234 caps and 146 goals, the most appearances and goals for any nation. He has competed in twelve major tournaments, lifting the European Championship in 2016 and securing Nations League titles in 2019 and 2024. His iconic status in Portugal is unquestionable, yet the conversation about his future with the national side persists, fueled by age, performance, and the emergence of younger talent. The upcoming "crisis" meeting aims to clear the air, define his role, and decide whether the legendary forward will continue to don the Portuguese jersey or eventually step aside for the next generation.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic. © 2026 The Athletic Media Company