'Supposed to play': Jorge Jesus keeps door open for Ronaldo with Portugal

[p]Ronaldo left the camp earlier in the international break, raising questions about his future with Portugal, and his new national team manager is unsure of his mindset following their victory over the Nordic side.[/p][p]Speaking after the game, he said:[b] [/b]"I don’t know what Cristiano may decide. I’ve already said what I had to say. For me, this was never an issue. Having a player who is a symbol like him does not mean there has to be anything non-negotiable on my part as a coach. Nothing happened that called my authority into question."[/p][p][b]"For me, Cristiano will be eligible for selection the next time the squad is announced, provided he is playing. If he wants to, he will return to the national team. You can’t break up a year-long friendship because of a situation I can’t even understand."[/b][/p][p]"This whole problem only arose because it was him, because he did or did not warm up. That happens with every player. Cristiano is different; he is a symbol, but for me it was never a problem."[/p][embed guid="c3de0c4a-7182-44b8-90df-c892719ab8b2" url="https://x.com/sporttvportugal/status/2106857315123040701" social-type="twitter" /][p]After the current set of internationals, national teams will reconvene in November for two more Nations League encounters.[/p][p]The win over Norway secured Portugal's passage into the quarter-finals and Jesus feels a meeting with Ronaldo before then would be beneficial.[/p][p][b]He added: "I agree, but that does not depend on me. Both people have to reach an understanding."[/b][/p][p][b]"The most important thing was that Portugal beat one of the best teams in Europe. We’ll see. The head coach will make his choices based on what the younger players show at their respective clubs."[/b][/p][image alt="Cristiano Ronaldo's latest player ratings" id="0a43c8a1-99a8-42f8-8072-c8ff4cdce1c5" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="ab7d9dbc-d0bc-41a5-93ca-0b3f2c6138a4" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]Portugal's captain against Norway, Bruno Fernandes, had his say on the situation surrounding Ronaldo earlier this week, stating that the 41-year-old is the 'greatest symbol' for their nation.[/p][p][b]Jorge Jesus explained further, saying: [/b]"I completely agree with what Bruno Fernandes said. That is also my view. One of the things I told Cristiano was that he could not end his national-team career after losing at the World Cup and walking off in tears.[/p][p][b]"He was supposed to play here today, but, given everything that happened, the situation changed. Everything has been said. I am the head coach, I select whoever I want, and I don’t ask anyone who I should select or who should play."[/b][/p][p][b]"It was because the player had been warming up. Now, apologise for what and to whom? I don’t apologise to anyone."[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/norway-8rP6JO0H/portugal-WvJrjFVN/?mid=Ei1jt6O0"]Read the report from Portugal's win with Flashscore.[/a][/p][infobox id="5a8fbd57-e97c-4bdc-9f6b-fb0fb254e893" /]