Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Al-Nassr training with a broad smile, offering his clearest indication yet that his attention has already shifted away from the controversy surrounding Portugal. Just one day after Portugal secured another Nations League victory without him, the 41-year-old forward was back at his club and preparing for the next challenge, leaving the growing discussion over Jorge Jesus behind him for now.
Ronaldo returns to Al-Nassr after leaving Portugal camp
Ronaldo rejoined his Al-Nassr teammates on Monday after leaving the Portugal camp during the international window, arriving back in Riyadh the previous Sunday with his family.The Portuguese forward reported to the club’s training centre four days before Al-Nassr’s Saudi Roshn League meeting with Al-Diriyah, with the club publishing photographs of Ronaldo smiling and taking part in training. Ronaldo himself also shared images from the sessionThe images showed the 41-year-old back among his teammates and involved in the session, giving Al-Nassr supporters a first look at their captain following the disruption surrounding his Portugal departure.The forward played only 67 minutes during Portugal’s 1-0 win against Wales, meaning Al-Nassr will hope to have their captain available when the domestic campaign resumes.Ronaldo’s return comes after an increasingly public dispute with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus, which began when the forward remained an unused substitute during the team’s 2–1 victory over Norway despite warming up for around 30 minutes.Ronaldo subsequently left the national team camp and returned to his club, leaving questions over whether the episode could affect his international future.With Al-Nassr now preparing to face Al-Diriyah in the eighth round of the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo’s immediate attention has returned to club football and continuing the team’s positive run.
Jorge Jesus leaves Portugal return entirely in Ronaldo’s hands
While Ronaldo was returning to Al-Nassr, Jesus was addressing the situation publicly after Portugal’s latest victory over Norway.The Portugal coach refused to apologise for his decision to leave Ronaldo on the bench and made clear that he remains responsible for deciding which players start and which players enter the match.Jesus nevertheless left the door open for Ronaldo to return during the next international window, provided the veteran forward remains active and performs for Al-Nassr.“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.”He later made it clear that the ball is firmly in Ronaldo’s court, with the decision on whether he returns ultimately his to make. Jesus said: “If he wants to, he’ll return to the national team. We can talk before the next call-up, but Cris is the one who’s going to decide.The situation has consequently left Ronaldo with the final say over whether his Portugal career continues, while the reasons behind his departure from the camp remain unclear. When announcing his decision to leave, Ronaldo said he would explain the reasons that motivated him ‘in due time’, leaving the full story still to be told.
Ronaldo and Jesus have already shared success at Al-Nassr
The latest dispute is particularly notable because Ronaldo and Jesus already have a successful history together at Al-Nassr.The pair worked together during the 2025–26 season and helped the Saudi club win the Saudi Pro League title, giving Ronaldo another major achievement during his time in Saudi Arabia.Portugal have also moved forward successfully through the group stage, with Ronaldo featuring for 67 minutes in the win over Wales before being substituted. Jesus’ team then beat Norway and Denmark before defeating Norway again 2–1 on SundayThe result gave Portugal four wins from four matches in the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League and made them the first team to officially secure qualification for the quarter-finals.Portugal now sit at the top of League A Group 4 with 12 points from a possible 12, maintaining a perfect record under their new coaching set-up.Ronaldo, meanwhile, has returned to a club preparing for the next domestic test, with Al-Nassr scheduled to face Bruno Lage’s Al-Diriyah on Friday evening.For now, the picture is remarkably simple, because Ronaldo is back with Al-Nassr, Jesus has left the international decision with him, and the forward has given no public indication that he has decided to end his Portugal career.
