Rabat – Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has agreed to hold an emergency meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo in an attempt to resolve their dispute and prevent the captain’s international career from ending abruptly.
Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported on Saturday that Jesus had accepted mediation proposed by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), with officials now waiting for Ronaldo to indicate whether he is prepared to take part in the talks.
The planned meeting follows a turbulent week that saw Ronaldo leave Portugal’s camp in Copenhagen on Wednesday after speaking with FPF president Pedro Proença.
Ronaldo subsequently said he would explain the reasons behind his departure “at the right time.” He has not publicly announced his retirement from international football.
A Bola described the latest federation initiative as an attempt to bring the two sides closer together and avoid what could become the end of a historic international career.
Federation seeks solution after Ronaldo exit
Proença had already held talks with both Ronaldo and Jesus on Wednesday morning at Portugal’s team hotel in Malmö.
A Bola reported that the meeting took place in a calm atmosphere, following an earlier conversation between the coach and captain. However, Ronaldo later left the camp and flew to Madrid.
Reuters reported that Jesus and Proença subsequently made a late attempt to prevent Ronaldo from leaving, but the forward departed on a private flight.
The dispute began after Ronaldo remained an unused substitute in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway on September 27 despite warming up during the second half. Jesus acknowledged that the captain was unhappy but initially played down suggestions of a serious conflict.
Ronaldo was already absent from the squad when Portugal defeated Denmark 4-2 on Thursday, with João Cancelo, Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha and João Félix scoring for Jesus’ side.
Jesus later described the Ronaldo situation as “a closed matter” for the time being, saying his immediate focus was on Portugal’s Nations League fixtures.
Portugal now return home to face Norway on Sunday at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto. UEFA lists the match for 8:45 p.m. local time, with Portugal having won all three of their opening Group A4 games.
Attention, however, remains on whether Ronaldo will accept the proposed meeting with Jesus and whether a reconciliation can clear the way for his return to the national team.
