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 team prepares for Thursday's encounter in Denmark, the focus has shifted to 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, was conspicuously absent from the action in Sunday's 1-0 win over Norway. He did not feature at all and also missed the training sessions on Monday and Tuesday.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has not released any information indicating an injury or physical problem that would explain his omission. Ronaldo's role in the national squad has been the subject of intense debate in recent years. After two decades of automatic selection, the five‑time Ballon d'Or winner was surprisingly left out of the starting lineup by former coach Fernando Santos during Portugal's knockout matches at the 2022 World Cup against Switzerland and Morocco.
His successor, Roberto Martinez, reinstated him, and Ronaldo started every one of Portugal's ten games in the 2024 European Championship campaign as well as 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 clear indication that Ronaldo, who currently plays for 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 season in June, but he emphasized that he still believes he can contribute to the national team. "I'm a thinker.
You have to think," Ronaldo explained when asked whether he was considering retirement after the 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 team achieve its goals, and I will step away only when I sense I am no longer adding 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, saying fresh legs were needed to press the Welsh centre‑backs and add speed to 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, highlighting the veteran's need for more recovery time. Initially, Jesus had indicated that he intended to involve Ronaldo, albeit not as a starter. However, when the final whistle blew in Oslo, Ronaldo walked straight from the bench down the tunnel, bypassing the customary team acknowledgement of the Portuguese supporters in the stands. After the game, Jesus admitted that the timing of the match made it "not the right moment for Cris to come on," and he altered his plan accordingly.
Anonymous sources quoted by The Athletic said Ronaldo was visibly frustrated by not playing at all. This was only the third occasion he had been left on the bench for the entire match, the previous instances being a Euro 2008 group game (after Portugal had already qualified) and a pre‑Euro 2024 friendly against Croatia.
The relationship between Jesus and Ronaldo has generally been professional and respectful. Before taking the Portugal job, Jesus spent a season coaching Ronaldo at Al Nassr, guiding the Saudi club to a league title. The 72‑year‑old coach has said his move to Saudi Arabia was largely motivated by Ronaldo's invitation and his willingness to work with the star striker.
Nevertheless, Portuguese daily Record described the current situation as an "internal earthquake," suggesting deeper tensions. On Tuesday, Ronaldo posted a photo of himself in national‑team training gear, accompanied by a heart emoji and the Portuguese flag, perhaps a subtle signal of his desire to stay involved. The following day, sports newspaper A Bola dominated its front page with the headline "situacao de crise" (crisis situation).
Another outlet, B24, reported that an "emergency" meeting had been arranged involving Ronaldo, Jesus, and FPF president Pedro Proença. The purpose, according to insiders, was to clear the air and address any misunderstandings.
The FPF later clarified that the gathering was not a formal meeting but a direct conversation between Jesus and Ronaldo, emphasizing the mutual respect they share. Publicly, Jesus has reiterated that Ronaldo remains a vital figure for Portugal, regardless of whether he steps onto the pitch.
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." Statistically, no other male footballer has amassed as many caps (234) or goals (146) for a single nation as Ronaldo.
He has participated in twelve major tournaments, lifting the European Championship trophy in 2016 and helping Portugal win the Nations League in 2019 and again in 2024. His legacy is unquestionable; he is an emblem of Portuguese football.
Yet the conversation about his future with the national side persists, fueled by his age, recent benchings, and the emergence of younger talents. As Portugal heads into the next phase of the Nations League and prepares for upcoming qualifiers, the federation, the coach, and Ronaldo will need to find a balance between honoring his historic contributions and integrating the next generation of players.
The ongoing dialogue reflects a broader challenge faced by many footballing nations: how to manage the twilight years of a legend while maintaining competitive momentum. For now, Ronaldo remains on the roster, his presence a blend of on‑field experience, off‑field leadership, and commercial appeal. Whether he will feature prominently in future matches or transition into a mentorship role remains to be seen, but his impact on Portuguese football will endure long after his boots are finally hung up. This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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