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 team prepares for Thursday's encounter in Denmark, the atmosphere has been dominated by what insiders are calling a "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, was conspicuously absent from the action on Sunday when Portugal edged Norway 1-0. Not only did he sit on the bench for the entire match, but he also missed the team training sessions on Monday and Tuesday. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has not disclosed any injury or medical problem that would explain his exclusion.
Ronaldo's role in the national team has become a recurring topic of debate in recent seasons. After two decades of automatic selection, the five‑time Ballon d'Or winner was surprisingly left out of the starting lineup 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, starting him in all ten of Portugal's fixtures during the 2024 European Championship qualifiers and the summer World Cup tournament.
While his long‑time rival Lionel Messi, now 39, is set to make his final appearance for Argentina against Benin next week, there is no clear indication that the Al Nassr striker intends to retire from international duty any time soon. In a recent interview, Ronaldo hinted that he might hang up his club boots at the end of the 2026‑27 season, but he stressed 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 had contemplated retirement after this year's World Cup. "That is why you see me here now.
It means I will continue. I had a conversation with the FPF president and our coach. I still believe I can help the national team achieve its goals, and I will step away only when I feel I am no longer adding value." During Portugal's 1-0 win over Wales, Ronaldo recorded seven attempts on goal before being substituted in the 65th minute for Gonçalo Ramos. Coach Jesus explained the decision, saying, "We needed fresh legs, someone who could press the Welsh centre‑backs and prevent them from playing out from the back, someone with 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 physical demands on a player of Ronaldo's age. Prior to the match, Jesus had indicated that he intended for Ronaldo to feature, albeit not as a starter, but the evolving state of the game led him to keep the veteran on the bench. When the final whistle blew in Oslo, Ronaldo walked straight from the substitute bench down the tunnel, bypassing the customary team acknowledgment of the Portuguese supporters in the stadium. After the match, Jesus defended the choice, stating, "It wasn't the right moment for Cris to come on, and the flow of the game made me rethink the substitution." Anonymous sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity to speak freely, told The Athletic that Ronaldo was visibly frustrated by not being used at all.
This marked only the third occasion in his storied international career that he has been an unused substitute, the previous instances being a Euro 2008 group‑stage match (after Portugal had already qualified) and a friendly against Croatia ahead of Euro 2024. The professional bond between Jesus and Ronaldo runs deep.
Before taking the Portugal job, Jesus coached Ronaldo for a season at Al Nassr, guiding the Saudi club to the league title. The 72‑year‑old manager has said his decision to work in Saudi Arabia was largely motivated by Ronaldo's invitation and his willingness to mentor the forward. Nevertheless, Portuguese sports daily Record described the current tension 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, perhaps signaling a desire to mend fences.
The following day, the newspaper A Bola dominated its front page with the headline "situacao de crise" (crisis situation). Another outlet, 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 dialogue between Jesus and Ronaldo, two men who share considerable mutual respect. Publicly, Jesus has emphasized that Ronaldo remains a pivotal 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 support me, but I understand that certain TV channels love 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 statistics underscore his iconic status: 234 caps and 146 goals, the most appearances and goals any player has ever recorded for a single nation. He has represented Portugal in twelve major tournaments, lifting the European Championship trophy in 2016 and winning the Nations League in both 2019 and 2024. Despite his undeniable legacy, the conversation about his future with the national side remains lively and often contentious.
Supporters argue that his experience, leadership, and goal‑scoring instinct are invaluable, especially as Portugal transitions to a younger generation of talent. Critics counter that his age and reduced playing time could hinder the team's tactical flexibility and that a gradual phasing‑out would benefit both Ronaldo and the squad.
The upcoming "crisis" meeting is expected to address these concerns head‑on. Sources suggest that Jesus will outline a realistic plan for Ronaldo's involvement, possibly limiting his minutes, focusing on mentorship roles, and using him strategically in high‑stakes matches where his presence can still tip the balance.
Ronaldo, for his part, appears eager to prove he can still contribute, emphasizing his fitness, professionalism, and desire to help Portugal achieve its objectives. As Portugal heads to Denmark, the outcome of this internal discussion will likely shape the national team's strategy for the remainder of the Nations League campaign and the forthcoming Euro 2028 qualifiers. Whether Ronaldo will return to the starting eleven, adopt a more selective role, or eventually step aside remains to be seen, but the dialogue underscores the delicate balance between honoring a legend and building for the future.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic. © 2026 The Athletic Media Company