Portugal manager Jorge Jesus has told Cristiano Ronaldo that it is up to him to decide his future with the national team. Ronaldo, 41, left the Portugal camp last week after a fallout with Jesus, who had told the forward he would come on as a substitute during their 2-1 win away to Norway.
Instead, Ronaldo spent the entire game on the bench and stormed down the tunnel at full-time. Following talks with the president of the Portuguese football federation a few days later, the Al-Nassr superstar took off in a private jet.
Ronaldo's replacement impresses
His replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scored in both subsequent games - including Sunday's victory over Norway on home soil by the same scoreline - making it four wins from four under Jesus. Post-match, the Portugal boss addressed Ronaldo's future and put the ball in his court.
"We can talk before the next call-up, but Cris is the one who's going to decide," Jesus, who managed Ronaldo at club level last season, declared.
"Cristiano should end his time in the national team the way he wants, he's the one who will decide how he wants it. In my first call-up, I said, 'I need you, I need you to be close to me, playing or not playing, I need you'. And now I'm saying the same thing."
Team-mates back Ronaldo
Portugal's next fixture is at home to Denmark on November 14 before they travel to face Wales three days later. Ronaldo's team-mates are keen to have him back in the fold, with Joao Cancelo telling RTP: "Cristiano is our captain, the best player Portugal has ever had."
"Things will certainly end in the best way [with him] but the important thing is the four victories."
Nuno Mendes added: "Any player who comes to the national team is welcome, obviously. If Cris returns, we'll be here to receive him with open arms."
Bruno Fernandes speaks out
In Portugal's pre-match press conference, Bruno Fernandes revealed that he'd spoken to Ronaldo since his departure. "Regarding Cristiano, I had a conversation with him," the midfielder confirmed.
"What I told him, and what I repeat here, is regardless of what happens, Cristiano Ronaldo will never cease to be the greatest symbol of our national team, of our football, and of the country, for what he has done not only in Portugal but throughout the world."
"He has a reserved place not only among the best of all time, but also in the hearts of all Portuguese people, and the most important thing is that we stop dividing things. There are no divisions in the national team. It is one and will remain so, despite any noise that may come from outside."
"We are outside of this controversy, but what I ask is that the country does not divide itself, does not make choices, that it respects all sides. Cris is and will be the biggest icon of our national team, he deserves everyone's respect, regardless of who likes him more or [who likes him] less."
Ronaldo himself wrote in a post on social media that he'd 'tell the truth to all the Portuguese people' about why he left the national team. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is expected to return to action when Al-Nassr continue their title defence against Diriyah in the Saudi Pro League on Friday night.
