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 clash in Denmark, the focus has shifted to a tense, so‑called “crisis” meeting involving captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
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 over Norway. He also missed the team training sessions on Monday and Tuesday. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has offered no explanation in terms of injury or any physical problem, leaving fans and pundits to wonder why the veteran was left on the bench. Ronaldo’s place in the national team has been a recurring subject of debate in recent seasons.
After two decades as an automatic starter, he was surprisingly dropped by former coach Fernando Santos for Portugal’s knockout matches at the 2022 World Cup against Switzerland and Morocco. His successor, Roberto Martínez, promptly reinstated him, and Ronaldo started every one of Portugal’s ten games in the run‑up to the 2024 European Championship as well as the World Cup finals later that summer. 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 the Al Nassr striker intends to hang up his Portugal boots any time soon. In a recent interview, Ronaldo said he might retire from club football at the end of the season in June, but he emphasized that he still believes he can contribute to the national side.
"I’m a thinker. You have to think," Ronaldo told reporters when asked whether he was considering retirement after this year’s World Cup. "That’s why you see me here now.
It means I will continue. I spoke with the president of the federation and with our coach. I still think I can help the team achieve its goals, and I’ll step away only when I feel I’m no longer adding value." During the Wales game, Ronaldo recorded seven attempts on goal before being substituted in the 65th minute for Gonçalo Ramos.
Coach Jesus explained the change: "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 pace in the first line of defence." 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 placed on the veteran forward.
Although Jesus had initially indicated that Ronaldo would be involved, he later admitted that the match situation did not warrant his introduction. 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 Portuguese supporters in the stands.
After the match, Jesus said it simply wasn’t the right moment for Ronaldo to enter, and the flow of the game forced his hand. Anonymous sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Athletic that Ronaldo was visibly frustrated by being left out.
This marked only the third occasion in his international career that he has been an unused substitute – the previous instances being a Euro 2008 group match (after Portugal had already qualified) and a friendly against Croatia before Euro 2024. The relationship between Jesus and Ronaldo has historically been strong.
Prior to taking over the national team, Jesus spent a year coaching Ronaldo at Al Nassr, guiding the Saudi club to the league title. The 72‑year‑old manager 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 recent episode as an "internal earthquake," suggesting deep‑seated tension.
On Tuesday, Ronaldo posted a photo of himself in the national team training gear, accompanied by a heart emoji and the Portuguese flag, perhaps signaling a desire for reconciliation. The following day, sports newspaper A Bola ran a front‑page headline reading "situacao de crise" (crisis situation), while 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 re‑establish mutual respect. The federation, however, framed the gathering not as a formal meeting but as a direct conversation between the coach and the captain, emphasizing the longstanding respect they share. Publicly, Jesus has reiterated Ronaldo’s importance to Portugal, stating that the player remains a pivotal figure whether he steps onto the pitch or not.
At the start of the international break, Ronaldo hinted that some segments of Portuguese society no longer wanted him in the squad. "I feel the Portuguese fans support me, but I understand that some TV channels love to criticise me," he said. "They’ve tried to kill my reputation, but only with a shotgun. They want me out of the national team." Statistically, no other male footballer has amassed as many caps (234) or scored as many goals (146) for a single nation as Ronaldo.
He has represented Portugal in twelve major tournaments, lifting the European Championship in 2016 and securing Nations League titles in 2019 and 2024. Ronaldo’s status as a national icon is unquestionable, yet the conversation about his future with the national side persists. The recent "crisis" meeting underscores the delicate balance between honoring a legend’s contributions and managing the practical realities of a squad that must evolve.
As Portugal heads to Denmark, all eyes will be on whether the dialogue translates into a clear plan for Ronaldo’s role in the team’s upcoming challenges.