Jesus says Ronaldo can return to Portugal if he chooses

Portugal coach Jorge Jesus says Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the national team if he wants to, leaving the decision to the forward after he left the squad during the international break. Jesus said they could speak before the next call-up and that Ronaldo would be welcome, but did not say whether the player intends to return. Ronaldo announced on social media that he was leaving Portugal’s training camp after discussions with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença. He said he would explain his reasons later and wished the team and his teammates well. No further explanation from Ronaldo is reported. The departure followed a period in which Ronaldo was not used against Norway. He had started Portugal’s opening match against Wales, but was an unused substitute in the Norway game. The sources differ in their accounts of the playing plan around the following match, and Ronaldo’s own explanation has not been reported. Jesus said Ronaldo should be able to decide how he ends his international career. He also reiterated that he wants the forward involved whether or not he plays in a particular match.