Cristiano Ronaldo remains eligible to return to the Portugal national team if he desires, according to national team coach Jorge Jesus. The declaration comes after the star forward left the team camp following a dispute over his selection.

Portugal secured their place in the quarterfinals of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League with a 2-1 victory over Norway. This win marked the first time a team has qualified for the next stage of the tournament. The Portuguese side demonstrated their capability to perform without the experienced forward.

Jorge Jesus indicated that the door is open for the 41-year-old Ronaldo to be called up for future matches, provided he wishes to return. "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," Jesus told reporters, referencing Ronaldo's club in Saudi Arabia. "If he wants to, he’ll return to the national team."

The coach added that he would be willing to speak with Ronaldo before the next set of matches in November to discuss his potential return. "If he wants to, as we did before this call-up, we talked before the call-up; we can talk before the next call-up," Jesus said. "But Cris is the one who’s going to decide."

Ronaldo's international future was cast into doubt after he left the national team camp on Wednesday. The departure followed his substitution in a Nations League opener against Wales on September 24 and being an unused substitute in the subsequent win against Norway on September 27. Upon learning he would again be benched for a match in Denmark, Ronaldo reportedly took a private flight back to Saudi Arabia.

Portugal went on to secure a 4-2 victory in Denmark on Thursday, amidst swirling speculation about Ronaldo's departure and his continued involvement with the national team. The team's performance raised questions about their reliance on the veteran forward.

Teammate Bruno Fernandes attempted to quell growing concerns within Portugal about the situation. Speaking on Saturday, Fernandes emphasized unity within the squad, stating, "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." He added, "There are no divisions in the national team. It is one and will remain so, despite any noise that may come from outside."

The coach's comments suggest that while Ronaldo's actions led to his temporary absence, his international career with Portugal is not necessarily over. The decision now rests with the player himself, with the national team coach open to his reintegration.