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Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus said on Sunday that Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the national team if he wishes, after the forward left the squad during the current international window.
Jesus spoke to reporters in Porto, a city in northern Portugal, after his side beat Norway 2-1 to reach the Nations League quarterfinals.
"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 said, referring to Ronaldo's Saudi club. "If he wants to, he'll return to the national team."
The dispute began last week when Jesus left the 41-year-old Ronaldo on the bench for Portugal's first win over Norway. Ronaldo left the squad on Wednesday after learning he would not start against Denmark.
Jesus said a conversation with Ronaldo can take place before Portugal's next matches in November. "We can talk before the next call-up," he said. "But Cris is the one who's going to decide."
Jesus, 72, replaced Roberto Martinez after the 2026 World Cup. He said he told Ronaldo in his first call-up that he needed him in the squad, "playing or not playing."
"Cristiano should end his time in the national team the way he wants; he's the one who will decide how he wants it," Jesus said.
Kristoffer Ajer put Norway ahead in the Group A4 match in the 36th minute. Joao Cancelo equalized two minutes later from around 20 yards.
Goncalo Ramos, who started in place of Ronaldo, scored the winner from close range after a pass from Joao Felix. Ramos has scored in three consecutive games.
Francisco Conceicao was sent off for two yellow cards for dissent after appealing for a penalty, leaving Portugal with 10 men for the final minutes.
Portugal have won all four group games and are guaranteed a top-two finish with two matches remaining. They are the first team to secure a place in the quarterfinals, which will be played in March 2027.
Cancelo told broadcaster RTP that Ronaldo is the team's captain and that the key point is the four victories. Defender Nuno Mendes said any player who joins the national team is welcome, and that Portugal would welcome Ronaldo back if he returns.
Ronaldo, a former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward, is Portugal's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. He made his debut in 2003 at 18 and has played in six World Cups. He has said this will "probably" be his final year in football.
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