Jorge Jesus has enjoyed an impressive opening spell as Portugal’s head coach, guiding the side to victories over Wales and Norway in the UEFA Nations League. Yet, as the team prepares for Thursday’s trip to 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 Sunday’s 1‑0 win over Norway. He did not feature at all during the match, nor did he join his teammates for training sessions on Monday and Tuesday. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has not released any information about an injury or fitness problem, leaving fans and pundits to speculate about the reasons behind his exclusion.
Ronaldo’s future with 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 omitted from the starting lineup by former manager Fernando Santos for Portugal’s 2022 World Cup knockout games against Switzerland and Morocco. His successor, Roberto Martínez, reinstated him and selected him to start every one of Portugal’s ten fixtures in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 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 intends to hang up his international boots. In a recent interview, he hinted that he might retire from club football at the end of the 2025‑26 season, but he emphasized that he still believes he can contribute to Portugal’s ambitions.
"I’m a thinker. You have to think," Ronaldo explained when asked whether he was considering retirement after the upcoming 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’ll step away only when I sense I’m no longer adding value." During the Wales game, 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 provide speed 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, highlighting the veteran’s need for more recovery time.
Jesus had initially indicated that Ronaldo might feature in the Norway match, though not as a starter. When the final whistle blew in Oslo, Ronaldo walked straight from the bench down the tunnel, bypassing the customary team acknowledgment of the Portuguese supporters in the stands. After the game, Jesus said it wasn’t the right moment to bring Ronaldo on, and the flow of the match dictated his decision.
Anonymous sources quoted by The Athletic revealed that Ronaldo was visibly frustrated by his lack of playing time. This was only the third occasion he had been left on the bench without entering the game, the previous instances being a Euro 2008 group match (after Portugal had already secured qualification) and a friendly against Croatia ahead of Euro 2024.
The relationship between Jesus and Ronaldo has generally been professional and mutually respectful. Prior to his appointment as Portugal manager, Jesus spent a season coaching Ronaldo at Al Nassr, guiding the Saudi club to the league title. The 72‑year‑old coach said his move to Saudi Arabia was largely motivated by Ronaldo’s invitation and his desire to work with the superstar. Nevertheless, Portuguese sports daily Record described the current situation as an "internal earthquake," suggesting deep‑seated tension.
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 to mend fences. The following day, another newspaper, A Bola, featured the headline "situação de crise" (crisis situation) on its front page, while B24 reported that an "emergency" meeting had been arranged involving 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 the coach and the captain, aimed at clearing the air. Publicly, Jesus has reiterated that Ronaldo remains an important figure for Portugal, regardless of whether he steps onto the pitch.
At the start of the international break, Ronaldo acknowledged that some segments of the Portuguese public and certain media outlets were questioning his place 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 want me out of the national team." Ronaldo’s statistical record is unparalleled: 234 caps and 146 goals, the most appearances and goals for any nation in football history. He has competed in twelve major tournaments, lifting the Euro 2016 trophy and securing Nations League titles in 2019 and 2024. His iconic status in Portugal is unquestionable, yet the conversation about his longevity and role within the national side persists.
The upcoming meeting between Ronaldo, Jesus, and the federation’s leadership could prove pivotal in determining whether the veteran striker will continue to feature in Portugal’s plans or gradually step aside for the next generation. This story originally appeared in The Athletic.