Cristiano Ronaldo’s future with Portugal looked uncertain after he walked out of the national-team camp during the October international break, but the federation has now made clear that it wants its captain back. President Pedro Proença has publicly backed the 41-year-old despite his provisional suspension and fallout with head coach Jorge Jesus, with November’s Nations League fixtures offering a possible route back.
Proença calls Ronaldo ‘one of our key pieces’
Speaking at a Portuguese Football Federation event in Funchal, Ronaldo’s birthplace, Proença reaffirmed the forward’s standing in the national team and described him as a central figure in Portuguese football.“We are in the home of the greatest asset Portuguese football has ever produced: Cristiano Ronaldo, our captain,” Proença said, as quoted by ESPN. “Our captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, is one of our key pieces.”
FILE – Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) leads his team’s players onto the field to warm up ahead of their World Cup Group K soccer match against Colombia in Miami Gardens, Fla., June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
This is not the first time FPF president Pedro Proença has publicly backed Ronaldo and called for his return to Portugal. In a surprising U-turn just hours after the federation’s disciplinary proceedings became public on Saturday, October 10.The federation had initiated proceedings on Friday, October 9, following Ronaldo’s abrupt departure from Portugal’s camp during the October international break after a dispute with Jorge Jesus over his playing time. Ronaldo was provisionally suspended, with a final punishment yet to be announced.However, Proença quickly shifted the focus towards reconciliation, making the federation’s desire for Ronaldo’s return unmistakable. In comments relayed by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, he said: “The federation, the coach and all of Ronaldo’s teammates are of one mind, we want Ronaldo back.”“I expect Ronaldo to return during the international break next November, and he is also eager to return, he is the best player of all time,” Proença added.
How Ronaldo’s dispute with Jorge Jesus began
Ronaldo’s departure followed a disagreement over his role during Portugal’s recent camp. The forward believed Jesus had failed to honour an understanding about his playing time, and left the squad without permission.The situation was especially awkward because Ronaldo and Jesus had worked together at Al-Nassr last season, winning the Saudi Pro League title before being reunited with Portugal. The fallout has now placed their relationship under scrutiny, even as the federation signals that it wants the captain available again.
Ronaldo reportedly left Portugal after Jesus allegedly broke promises over his Norway warm-up, with a private apology replaced by public defiance/ Image: X
The FPF initiated disciplinary proceedings earlier this month, on October 9, and announced the case publicly the following day. It classified the matter as urgent and referred it to the Disciplinary Investigation Committee. The federation said Ronaldo had initially faced an automatic provisional suspension after leaving camp without permission, before a separate preventive suspension was ordered as the proceedings began.Ronaldo has acknowledged that he must accept the consequences. In his public statement, he said he would accept whatever punishment the federation decides, while making clear that he has not abandoned his international career and remains willing to represent Portugal after serving any suspension.
November could offer Ronaldo a route back
Portugal’s next matches are scheduled for November, when the team faces Denmark on November 14 before travelling to Wales three days later. The side has already secured its place in the Nations League quarter-finals after winning its opening four matches, but Ronaldo’s availability remains dependent on the disciplinary process and the decisions of Jesus and the federation.Proença’s expectation that Ronaldo will return during the November international break gives the captain a possible path back, although it does not amount to confirmation that he will be selected. The next squad announcement should offer a clearer indication of whether the dispute is beginning to ease.
Soccer Football – Saudi Pro League – Al Nassr v Al Diriyah – Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – October 9, 2026 Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
There is also a personal milestone in play. Portuguese journalist Miguel Pereira previously told talkSPORT that Ronaldo wanted to score his 1,000th career goal for Portugal rather than Al-Nassr, giving the target a potential international significance. With Ronaldo having reached 981 career goals following his recent AFC Champions League Elite strike for Al-Nassr FC, he sits just 19 goals away from the historic four-figure mark. The upcoming international windows will continue to provide critical opportunities to pursue that ultimate ambition in national colours.
The federation wants him back, but the decision remains unresolved
Proença’s public support suggests Portugal’s leadership is not treating the walkout as the end of Ronaldo’s international career. The disciplinary case remains open, and any return will still depend on the eventual sanction, the coach’s selection and Ronaldo’s willingness to rejoin the squad.For now, the federation has stated its position plainly: it wants its captain back. November’s fixtures will show whether that welcome can translate into Ronaldo’s return to the Portugal team.
