PORTO, Portugal: Portugal coach Jorge Jesus said on Sunday that superstar Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the national team squad if he wishes, despite walking out on his teammates last week. The dispute began when Jesus left the 41-year-old Ronaldo on the bench for Portugal's first win over Norway, leading the veteran attacker to walk out on Wednesday after learning he would not start against Denmark.
"For me, Cris, in the next call-up, if he's playing at Al-Nassr, he'll be a player who can be called up, and if he wants to, he'll return to the national team," Jesus told reporters, noting they could talk before November's matches.
"Cristiano should end his time in the national team the way he wants, he's the one who will decide how he wants it," Jesus added, explaining he previously told the former Real Madrid and Manchester United player, "I need you." In Ronaldo's absence, Portugal beat Norway to reach the Nations League quarter-finals as the first team to secure a place with two group games still to play.
Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in 2003 at age 18, has played at six World Cups, and stated this will "probably" be his final year in football, while his long-time rival Lionel Messi will play his final match for Argentina in a friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.