Jorge Jesus has started 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, the build‑up to Thursday’s clash in Denmark has been dominated by what the media are calling a "crisis" meeting involving captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 41‑year‑old forward, who has been a fixture in Portugal’s starting XI since his debut in 2003, was conspicuously absent from the action in Sunday’s 1‑0 win over Norway. He did not train with the squad on Monday or Tuesday, and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has offered no explanation in terms of injury or fitness concerns. Ronaldo’s status within the national team has become a recurring theme of discussion in recent years. After two decades of automatic selection, the five‑time Ballon d'Or winner was left out of the starting line‑up by former coach Fernando Santos for Portugal’s knockout games at the 2022 World Cup against Switzerland and Morocco.
His successor, Roberto Martinez, reinstated him and started him in all ten of Portugal’s matches during 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 next week, there is no indication that the Al Nassr striker intends to retire from international duty anytime soon.
In a recent interview, Ronaldo hinted that he might hang up his club boots at the end of the next season, but he stressed that he still believes he can contribute to the national side. "I'm a thinker. You have to think," Ronaldo said when asked whether he had contemplated retirement 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 step away only when I sense I’m no longer adding value." During the Wales match, Ronaldo registered seven attempts without finding the net before being substituted in the 65th minute for Gonçalo Ramos. Jesus defended the decision, explaining that fresh legs were needed to press the Welsh centre‑backs and provide 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, emphasizing the physical demands placed on the veteran forward.
Initially, Jesus had indicated that he intended to involve Ronaldo 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 stadium.
Post‑match, Jesus admitted that the timing of the game made it "not the right moment for Cris to come on," and he altered his plan accordingly. Anonymous sources speaking to The Athletic revealed that Ronaldo was visibly frustrated by the lack of playing time. This marked only the third occasion in his international career that he has been left on the bench without entering the match – the previous instances being a Euro 2008 group game (after Portugal had already qualified) 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 took charge of Al Nassr last summer.
Under his guidance, Ronaldo helped the Saudi club capture the league title, and the 72‑year‑old coach has frequently cited Ronaldo’s invitation as a key factor in his decision to work in Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, Portuguese daily Record described the current situation as an "internal earthquake," suggesting deep‑seated tension. 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 for reconciliation. The following day, sports newspaper A Bola ran a front‑page headline reading "situacao de crise" (crisis situation).
B24 also 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 the coach and the captain, reflecting the mutual respect that underpins their relationship.
Publicly, Jesus has reiterated that Ronaldo remains a vital figure for Portugal, regardless of whether he takes the field. 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 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 statistics are unmatched: 234 caps and 146 goals, the most appearances and goals for any nation. He has featured in twelve major tournaments, lifting the European Championship in 2016 and securing Nations League titles in 2019 and 2024.
His legacy as a Portuguese icon is indisputable, yet the debate surrounding his future with the national team continues to dominate headlines. The upcoming "crisis" discussion aims to clear the air and determine the best path forward for both the player and the squad as they prepare for the Denmark fixture and the remainder of the international calendar.