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 focus has shifted from tactical preparations 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 against Norway. Not only did he remain on the bench for the entire match, he also missed the team training sessions on Monday and Tuesday. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has not released any information about an injury or any physical problem that might have kept him out. Ronaldo's place in the national team has become an increasingly hot topic in recent years.
After two decades of being an automatic starter, the five‑time Ballon d'Or winner was omitted from the line‑up by former coach Fernando Santos for Portugal's knockout games at the 2022 World Cup against Switzerland and Morocco. When Roberto Martinez took over, he reinstated Ronaldo, selecting him to start in all ten of Portugal's matches during the qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 and in the World Cup finals held this summer. While his long‑time rival Lionel Messi, now 39, is set to play his final match for Argentina next week against Benin, there are no clear signals that Ronaldo, who now plies his trade with Al Nassr, intends to retire from international football anytime soon. In a recent interview he hinted that he might hang up his boots at the club level after next June, but he stressed 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 had contemplated retirement after this year's 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 am no longer adding value." During the Wales match, Ronaldo recorded seven attempts but failed to find 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 more 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, emphasizing the physical demands on a player of Ronaldo's age. Initially, Jesus had indicated that Ronaldo would be involved in the Norway game, 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 gathering to acknowledge the Portuguese supporters in the stadium. After the match, Jesus said the timing was not right for Ronaldo to enter the game and that the state of play had forced a change of plans.
Anonymous sources speaking to The Athletic disclosed that Ronaldo was visibly frustrated by being left out of the Norway encounter. 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 secured qualification) and a friendly against Croatia ahead of Euro 2024. The relationship between Jesus and Ronaldo is rooted in a professional partnership that began when Jesus coached the forward at Al Nassr for a season, culminating in a Saudi Pro League title. The 72‑year‑old manager has repeatedly mentioned that his move to Saudi Arabia was largely 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," reflecting the intensity of the debate. 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 leading newspaper, A Bola, featured the headline "situacao 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. According to the federation, the gathering was less a formal meeting and more a direct conversation between Jesus and Ronaldo, underscoring the mutual respect that still exists between the two.
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 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 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: he holds the record for the most caps (234) and the most goals (146) for any nation.
He has represented Portugal in twelve major tournaments, winning Euro 2016 and the Nations League titles in 2019 and 2024. His influence on and off the field makes him an undeniable icon of Portuguese football, yet the conversation about his future with the national side persists. The upcoming Denmark match will likely serve as a litmus test for how the crisis is resolved.
If Ronaldo returns to the lineup, it could signal a reconciliation and a renewed commitment to the team. If he remains on the sidelines, the debate over his role may intensify, potentially prompting a more permanent decision about his international career. Regardless of the outcome, the episode highlights the delicate balance national teams must strike between honoring legendary talent and managing the practical realities of age, fitness, and team dynamics. For Portugal, navigating this situation will require careful diplomacy, clear communication, and a shared vision of what the squad aims to achieve in the next cycle of competitions.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic. © 2026 The Athletic Media Company