Jesus says Cristiano Ronaldo can return to Portugal squad

Portugal manager Jorge Jesus said on Sunday, after Portugal's 2-1 Nations League win over Norway, that Cristiano Ronaldo can still return to the national team if he chooses. The 41-year-old captain left Portugal's Nations League camp after being an unused substitute against Norway and then finding out he would not start against Denmark.

Cristiano Ronaldo's last Portugal game was against Wales in Lisbon, when he started the 1-0 opening-game win. He has scored 146 goals in 234 Portugal appearances - both world records. After leaving the camp he wrote on social media: "In due course, I will tell the truth to all the Portuguese people about my reasons for leaving the national team, to which I have always been dedicated."

Jesus, who also managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, said he had always planned to discuss the matter after the last of his side's four Nations League games against Norway on Sunday. He 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. "Cristiano should end his time in the national team the way he wants, he's the one who will decide how he wants it. "In my first call-up, I said, 'I need you, I need you to be close to me, playing or not playing, I need you'. And now I'm saying the same thing."

Portugal's 2-1 victory over Norway sealed a place in the last eight for the competition's defending champions. AC Milan striker Goncalo Ramos has scored in all three starts with Ronaldo out of the team. Sunday's success put Portugal six points clear of second-placed Denmark in the table.

After the Norway win, goalscorer Joao Cancelo told RTP: "Cristiano is our captain, the best player Portugal has ever had. "Things will certainly end in the best way [with him] but the important thing is the four victories." Team-mate Nuno Mendes added: "Any player who comes to the national team is welcome, obviously. If Cris returns, we'll be here to receive him with open arms."

Ronaldo was named as a substitute in the Norway game and was told he may or may not come on; he was apparently angered at being made to warm up during the second half and then not brought on. It was the first time the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid forward had been an unused substitute for his country in a competitive game since 2008. Ronaldo, one of football's all-time greats with five Ballon d'Or awards, has helped Portugal win Euro 2016 and two Nations Leagues.

Portugal's next confirmed fixtures in Group A4 see them host Denmark on 14 November, before visiting Wales three days later.