Jorge Jesus has started his tenure as Portugal's head coach on a high note, guiding the team to victories over Wales and Norway in the UEFA Nations League. Yet, the anticipation surrounding the upcoming clash in Denmark has been dominated by reports of an urgent "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 Sunday win over Norway. He did not set foot on the pitch and also missed training sessions on Monday and Tuesday.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has not disclosed any injury or medical concern to explain his exclusion. Ronaldo's role in the national side has become a recurring subject of debate in recent seasons. After two decades of automatic selection, the five‑time Ballon d'Or winner was left out of the starting lineup by former coach Fernando Santos during the knockout phase of the 2022 World Cup, when Portugal faced Switzerland and Morocco. His successor, Roberto Martinez, reinstated him, and Ronaldo started every one of Portugal's ten matches in the 2024 European Championship qualifying campaign and the summer World Cup finals.
While his long‑time rival Lionel Messi, now 39, is set to make his final appearance for Argentina against Benin, there is no indication that Ronaldo, who now plays for Al Nassr, intends to retire from international duty any time soon. In a recent interview he hinted that he might hang up his boots at the club level after next June, but he reaffirmed his willingness to continue contributing to Portugal's cause. "I'm a thinker.
You have to think," Ronaldo explained when asked whether he was contemplating retirement after this World Cup. "That is why you see me here now. It means I will keep going.
I spoke 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 the 1‑0 triumph over Wales, Ronaldo recorded seven attempts on goal 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 add speed to 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, emphasizing the veteran's need for careful management. Jesus had initially indicated that Ronaldo would be involved in the Norway match, albeit 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 clarified that the timing was not right for Ronaldo to enter, and the flow of the match dictated the decision.
Unnamed sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Athletic that Ronaldo was frustrated by the lack of playing time. This was only the third occasion he had been an unused substitute for Portugal, the previous instances being a Euro 2008 group game (after qualification was already secured) and a friendly against Croatia before Euro 2024. The professional bond between Jesus and Ronaldo is 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 striker.
Nevertheless, Portuguese sports daily Record described the 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, perhaps signalling a desire to reconcile. The following day, another outlet, A Bola, splashed the headline "situacao de crise" (crisis situation) on its front page. 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 underpins their relationship. Publicly, Jesus has reiterated that Ronaldo remains a pivotal figure for Portugal, regardless of whether he takes the field. At the start of the international break, Ronaldo acknowledged that some segments of Portuguese media and fans 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 have tried to destroy my reputation, but they are only firing blanks. They want me out of the national team, but I will not be silenced." Ronaldo's statistical legacy is unrivalled: 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.
His iconic status in Portugal is unquestionable, yet the conversation about his future and his involvement with the national side persists. As Portugal prepares for the next set of fixtures, the outcome of the crisis talks could shape the team's strategy and morale. Whether Ronaldo will return to the starting lineup or assume a more advisory role remains to be seen, but his influence on and off the pitch will undoubtedly continue to shape Portuguese football for years to come.