Jorge Jesus has enjoyed a promising start to his tenure as Portugal’s head coach, guiding the 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 to a tense "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, sat out the entire Sunday win against Norway and missed training sessions on Monday and Tuesday. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has not disclosed any injury or medical problem that would explain his absence.
Ronaldo’s place in the national team has become a recurring subject of debate in recent seasons. After two decades as an automatic starter, the five‑time Ballon d’Or winner was omitted from the starting line‑up by former coach Fernando Santos for Portugal’s 2022 World Cup knockout games against Switzerland and Morocco.
His successor, Roberto Martínez, reinstated him and kept him in the starting XI for all ten of Portugal’s matches in the 2024 European Championship qualifiers and the summer World Cup finals. While his long‑time rival Lionel Messi, now 39, is set to play his final match for Argentina against Benin next week, there is no indication that Al Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo intends to retire from international duty anytime soon.
In a recent interview he said he might hang up his club boots at the end of the season next June, but he insisted that he still believes he can contribute to the national side. "I’m a thinker. You have to think," Ronaldo explained when asked whether he had considered stepping away 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 team achieve its goals, and I’ll quit when I sense I’m no longer adding value." In Portugal’s 1‑0 triumph 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 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, highlighting the veteran’s need for careful management. Jesus had previously indicated that he intended to involve Ronaldo in the Norway game, 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 acknowledgement of the Portuguese supporters.
After the match, Jesus said it "wasn't the right moment for Cris to come on" and that the state of play had prompted a change of plans. Anonymous sources speaking to The Athletic claim Ronaldo was visibly frustrated by being left out, noting this was only the third occasion he has been an unused substitute for Portugal – the previous instances being a Euro 2008 group match (when qualification was already secured) and a friendly against Croatia ahead of Euro 2024.
The relationship between Jesus and Ronaldo has historically been strong. Prior to his appointment as national coach, Jesus spent a year at Al Nassr, guiding Ronaldo to a Saudi Pro 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 current 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, a gesture that many interpreted as a public appeal for unity.
The following day, sports newspaper A Bola featured a front‑page headline reading "situacao de crise" (crisis situation). 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 resolve lingering tensions.
The federation, however, framed the gathering as a direct conversation between the coach and the captain, emphasizing the mutual respect they share. Publicly, Jesus has stressed 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 love 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.
Undoubtedly, he is an icon of Portuguese football, yet the conversation about his future and his role in the national side continues to dominate headlines. The upcoming "crisis" meeting may determine whether the veteran striker will continue to feature in Portugal’s plans or gradually step back, allowing a new generation to take the reins. This story originally appeared in The Athletic.
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