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 clash in Denmark, the narrative has shifted from on‑field success to an urgent "crisis" meeting involving captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 41‑year‑old striker, who has been a fixture in Portugal’s starting eleven since his debut in 2003, was conspicuously absent from Sunday’s 1‑0 win against Norway. He did not step onto the pitch at all and, unusually, 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 ailment, leaving fans and pundits to wonder what prompted the exclusion. Ronaldo’s place in the national team has been a hot topic for several years.
After two decades of automatic selection, former coach Fernando Santos left him out of the starting line‑up for Portugal’s knockout games at the 2022 World Cup against Switzerland and Morocco. His successor, Roberto Martinez, reinstated the five‑time Ballon d’Or winner, starting him in every one of Portugal’s ten matches during the qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 and 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, there is no clear indication that Ronaldo intends to hang up his Portugal boots.
In a recent interview, he hinted that he might retire from club football at the end of the season but reaffirmed his willingness to continue contributing to the national side. "I’m a thinker. You have to think," he said when asked about retirement after this World Cup.
"That’s why you see me here now. It means I will continue." Ronaldo explained that he had spoken with the FPF president and the coaching staff, insisting he still believes he can help Portugal achieve its goals and will only step away when he feels he can no longer add 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 justified the change, noting the need for fresh legs and a player capable of pressing the Welsh centre‑backs and providing greater speed in 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 physical demands on the veteran forward.
Jesus had initially 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 acknowledgment of the Portuguese supporters in the stands. After the match, Jesus said the timing simply wasn’t right for Ronaldo to enter, and the state of play forced a different decision. Anonymous sources speaking to The Athletic disclosed that Ronaldo was visibly frustrated by the lack of playing time.
This marked only the third occasion he has been an unused substitute for Portugal, the previous instances being a Euro 2008 group match (after qualification was already secured) and a friendly against Croatia before Euro 2024. The relationship between Jesus and Ronaldo has generally been strong. Prior to his appointment as national coach, Jesus spent a year at Al Nassr, where he guided 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 desire to work with the star forward. Nevertheless, Portuguese sports daily Record described the current situation as an "internal earthquake." On Tuesday, Ronaldo posted a photo of himself in Portugal training gear, accompanied by a heart emoji and the national flag, perhaps a subtle signal that he remains emotionally invested. The following day, another outlet, A Bola, ran 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 address any lingering tensions. The federation later clarified that the gathering was not a formal meeting but rather a direct conversation between Jesus and Ronaldo, underscoring the mutual respect they share.
Publicly, Jesus has emphasized Ronaldo’s importance to the national team, whether he is on the field or not. At the start of the international break, Ronaldo hinted to the media that a segment of the Portuguese public might no longer want 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." Statistically, no other male footballer has amassed as many caps (234) or goals (146) for a single nation as Ronaldo. He has represented Portugal in twelve major tournaments, capturing the Euro 2016 title and Nations League crowns in 2019 and 2024. His status as a national icon is unquestionable, yet the debate over his future involvement with the Seleção persists, dominating headlines and fan discussions alike.
The upcoming "crisis" meeting may determine whether the legendary forward will continue to feature in Portugal’s plans or whether the team will gradually transition to a new generation of talent.