Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has opened the door for Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the national team, insisting that there are no bad feelings between them and that the recent dispute can be resolved easily.
Jesus made the comments after Portugal defeated Norway 2-1 to secure their place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, their second consecutive victory since Ronaldo left the squad.
“For me, everything is open. Cris has to decide what he wants to do with his own life,” Jesus said, making it clear that Ronaldo's international future ultimately rests with the player.
The Portugal boss also described the situation as a misunderstanding.
“It was a misunderstanding and for me it’s easy to resolve this situation,” Jesus said.
‘There are no bad feelings with Cristiano’
Jesus stressed that his relationship with Ronaldo has not been permanently damaged by the incident.
“There are no bad feelings with Cristiano. It’s easy to resolve, in my view,” he said.
The coach also indicated that Ronaldo could be selected for Portugal's next international break if he wants to return and remains available for selection.
Ronaldo left the Portugal camp after being an unused substitute during the team's earlier Nations League victory over Norway and learning that he would not start against Denmark.
Portugal subsequently defeated Denmark 4-2 and Norway 2-1 without him, becoming the first team to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals.
Jesus questions why Ronaldo controversy became so big
The Portugal manager also addressed the controversy surrounding Ronaldo warming up against Norway without eventually being brought onto the pitch.
Jesus argued that similar situations happen to other players without creating major controversy.
“Just because it was him. Just because it was him, and perhaps rightly so, because he is a symbol, this whole issue of warming up and not warming up, coming on and not coming on, has been created,” he said.
“How many players warmed up today and didn’t come on? How many? Is there going to be a problem with any of them? No.”
Jesus also rejected the suggestion that he needed to apologise to Ronaldo, saying he would not apologise while maintaining that the situation could still be resolved.
Ronaldo still has the final decision
Despite Portugal's impressive results without him, Jesus has made it clear that Ronaldo remains welcome.
The coach said Ronaldo will decide whether he wants to continue with the national team, while the Portuguese Football Federation has also indicated that the door remains open.
Ronaldo has yet to publicly explain the full reasons behind his decision to leave the camp. After his departure, he said he would eventually tell the Portuguese public what motivated his decision.
For now, Portugal's position appears clear: Ronaldo can return if he wants to.
