The Portuguese Football Federation has reaffirmed its support for Cristiano Ronaldo’s continued involvement with the national team.
Federation president Pedro Proença described Ronaldo as an icon of Portuguese football and said he remains part of the team when he is fit and available. His comments came after Portugal completed its latest four-match international schedule.
Proença also defended Ronaldo’s place in the squad, saying his selection is based on sporting merit. He stressed that the veteran forward remains an important figure within the national setup.
The development comes after a disagreement between Ronaldo and Portugal coach Jorge Jesus. Both the federation and the coach have described the situation as a misunderstanding that can be resolved internally.
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Proença Defends Ronaldo’s Place in Portugal Squad
Proença said Ronaldo deserves his place in the Portugal squad because of his performances and ability.
The federation president described the forward as one of the greatest players in football history. He also highlighted Ronaldo’s more than two decades of service to Portuguese football.
According to Proença, Ronaldo’s continued selection is not based only on his reputation. He said the player remains in the national team because of his sporting contribution.
The FPF president also stressed that Ronaldo would continue to be part of the group whenever he is technically fit to play.
The federation’s position comes as Ronaldo’s international future has attracted fresh attention. The 41-year-old forward recently left Portugal’s training camp after a disagreement with Jesus over his role in the team.
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Ronaldo Remains an Icon of Portuguese Football
Proença said Ronaldo has built a strong relationship with the Portuguese people during his international career.
He described the forward as a symbol of Portuguese identity and praised his long-standing commitment to the national side. According to Proença, Ronaldo could have ended his international career after the 2026 World Cup but chose to continue.
The federation president said Ronaldo’s decision showed his attachment to Portugal. He added that he had personally witnessed the relationship between the player, the supporters and the national team.
Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record goalscorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 international appearances, according to Reuters.
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FPF Calls Ronaldo-Jesus Dispute a Misunderstanding
Proença also addressed the reported disagreement between Ronaldo and Jesus.
He described the matter as a misunderstanding that should be resolved within the national team. However, he declined to reveal details about the conversations between the player and coach.
Proença said such discussions fall within the technical area of the team. He therefore indicated that he would not publicly disclose what happened between the two men.
The federation president nevertheless made clear that the situation does not mean Ronaldo has been removed from Portugal’s plans.
Jesus has also left the door open for Ronaldo’s return. The coach said the decision ultimately rests with the player and maintained that Ronaldo remains valuable to the team.
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Ronaldo Captained Portugal in Latest International Window
Proença pointed to Ronaldo’s role as captain during the latest international schedule.
He said Ronaldo captained Portugal in the first of the four matches played during the new cycle. The federation president described this as further evidence of the forward’s continued place within the national setup.
Portugal completed the four-match period with a 2-1 victory over Norway. The result helped secure the team’s qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals.
Ronaldo was absent from the later stages of the international window following the disagreement. However, Jesus has since indicated that he remains welcome in the squad.
The coach previously worked with Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. Their relationship has therefore attracted particular attention since the disagreement became public.
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Portugal Leaves Door Open for Ronaldo Return
The Portuguese Football Federation has made it clear that Ronaldo can return to the national team.
Proença said the federation now has time to resolve the misunderstanding calmly. He indicated that the focus can shift towards settling the issue after the completion of the latest international fixtures.
Jesus has also said Ronaldo can return if he chooses to do so. The coach stressed that the decision over the forward’s future ultimately belongs to Ronaldo.
Portugal’s next international matches are scheduled for November. Reuters reported that the team is expected to face Denmark and Wales during the next international window.
The situation means Ronaldo’s international future remains a major talking point ahead of those fixtures. However, both the federation and coach have publicly left the door open for his return.
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Proença Wants Focus Back on Football
Proença said he was pleased that Portugal completed the latest international window successfully.
He praised the team’s results under Jesus and said the new coaching cycle had produced positive results. Portugal recorded four wins during the period and became the first European team to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals, according to Proença.
The federation president suggested that the Ronaldo-Jesus issue should now be handled calmly. He also stressed the importance of keeping attention on the team’s sporting objectives.
The comments provide a clear indication that the FPF does not view the recent disagreement as an immediate end to Ronaldo’s international career.
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Ronaldo’s Portugal Future Remains Open
Cristiano Ronaldo’s future with Portugal has come under renewed scrutiny following his departure from the recent training camp.
However, the Portuguese Football Federation continues to regard him as an important member of the national team. Proença has defended his selection on sporting grounds and described him as an important symbol of Portuguese football.
Jesus has similarly indicated that Ronaldo can return if he decides to do so. Both sides have therefore signalled that the disagreement does not necessarily mark the end of the captain’s international career.
The coming international window could provide an opportunity for Ronaldo, Jesus and the federation to move beyond the dispute. For now, Portugal has kept the door open for the veteran forward.
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