Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the squad if he wishes, despite walking out on his team-mates, said national team coach Jorge Jesus on Sunday. Ronaldo subsequently walked out on the squad on Wednesday after learning he would not start against Denmark. The dispute began last week when Jesus left 41-year-old Ronaldo on the bench for Portugal’s first win over Norway.
Jesus said Ronaldo can come back into the fold “if he wants to” after the team beat Norway without the veteran attacker to reach the Nations League quarter-finals.
Ronaldo’s long-time rival for the title of the world’s best player, Lionel Messi, will play his final match for Argentina in a friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
The coach said if Ronaldo wishes to speak to him before Portugal’s next matches in November, that would happen. Ronaldo, who made his Portugal debut in 2003 at the age of 18, has said this will “probably” be his final year in football.
