Portuguese Football Federation President: Ronaldo is a key element for the national team, and conditions allow for his return

- Bruinza calls for dialogue to resolve the crisis between “Don” and Jesus

Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Bruinza affirmed on Friday that national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo remains a key figure the team relies on as it seeks to retain its UEFA Nations League title, urging all parties to sit down at the negotiating table to find solutions to the ongoing dispute between the player and coach Jorge Jesus.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a cooperation agreement signing in the Portuguese city of Funchal, Bruinza stated that Ronaldo is one of the essential elements for achieving the national team’s objectives, confirming that the circumstances allow for his return to the squad.

He clarified that the possibility of Ronaldo’s return is evident from the player’s previous statement, as well as from the positions of both the coach and the Portuguese Football Federation, emphasizing the need for calm and for all sides to come together to reach appropriate solutions.

Bruinza’s comments come amid the continuing fallout from the crisis between Ronaldo and Jesus, which led to the national team captain leaving the team’s latest training camp in Copenhagen, after which the Portuguese Football Federation announced it had opened disciplinary proceedings against him and imposed a precautionary suspension.

Ronaldo had previously expressed his willingness to accept any punishment that may be imposed, reaffirming his desire to continue his international career. Earlier, Jesus had also indicated his readiness to call Ronaldo back into the national team.

To date, no meeting for reconciliation proposed between the two parties—described by Portuguese media as a “peace summit”—has been held, nor has a final disciplinary decision been issued against Ronaldo.