10/05/2026
RONALDO CAN COME BACK — BUT JESUS ISN'T APOLOGISING.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal future looked uncertain after he left the national-team camp following his frustration at being left on the bench against Norway and being told he would not start against Denmark. But after Portugal's 2–1 win over Norway, Jorge Jesus made it clear that the door remains open: if Ronaldo wants to return, he can. Jesus also insisted that, from his perspective, the incident was never a major case and that his decision was simply a coach exercising his authority.
Coach Jorge Jesus Interview
Interviewer: Coach, Ronaldo left the camp after the situation with you. Do you still expect him to return?
Jorge Jesus: If he wants to, he will return. Cristiano is the one who will decide. If he is playing and wants to be with the national team, the door is open.
Interviewer: But do you feel you owe Ronaldo an apology for what happened?
Jorge Jesus: Apologise for what? I made a decision as the coach because I believed it was right for the team. I don't see it as something that should break a friendship we've built over the past year.
Interviewer: Portugal have now won without him. Does that change your thinking?
Jorge Jesus: No. I need Cristiano close to me, whether he is playing or not playing. He remains an important player for Portugal.
Interviewer: So, if Ronaldo wants to return for the next international window?
Jorge Jesus: He can return. The decision is his.
Portugal have now shown they can win without Ronaldo — beating Denmark 4–2 and Norway 2–1 during his absence. Ronaldo, meanwhile, remains Portugal's record scorer with 146 goals in 234 appearances.
So who should make the next move?
Ronaldo should apologise and return?
Jesus should apologise first?
Or should both forget the drama and move on?
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