Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proença has strongly backed Cristiano Ronaldo following the uncertainty surrounding the star’s situation with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus.
Proença described Ronaldo as one of the greatest players in football history, stressing that he has represented Portugal for more than two decades and has become a major part of the country’s football identity. According to Proença, Ronaldo’s contribution to Portuguese football cannot be overlooked.
Speaking about the tension between Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus, Proença said the situation should be viewed as a disagreement between a player and his coach rather than turned into a long-term conflict. He added that such discussions are a normal part of life within a national team and should be resolved internally.
Proença also insisted that Ronaldo still deserves a place in the national team based on his footballing quality, saying the door remains open to him as long as he is fit and the coach wants him. His comments are in line with Jorge Jesus’ position that Ronaldo can return if he decides to do so.
Ronaldo left Portugal’s camp after being left out of the 2-1 victory over Norway, despite having trained in preparation for a possible appearance. He later said he decided to leave the camp following a conversation with Proença. Since then, questions have been raised about his future with the national team.
However, the message from Portugal’s football authorities now appears clear: Ronaldo remains part of Portugal’s plans. Proença said that after the completion of the four previous matches, there is time and calmness for everyone to sit down and find a solution to the disagreement.
Ronaldo, Portugal’s all-time top scorer with 146 goals in 234 international appearances, could now have an opportunity to return to the squad during the next international window if he decides to continue representing his country.
