Fernandes calls Ronaldo Portugal's 'greatest symbol' and urges unity after squad exit

Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, left the Portugal squad this week after coach Jorge Jesus said he would not start the Nations League match against Denmark, according to Al Jazeera, the BBC and the Guardian. Portugal won that away match 4-2 without him.

Ronaldo said on Wednesday that he had left the team after Jesus said he would not start, Al Jazeera and the Guardian reported. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include his own words, or say where or how he made the statement.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes said he had spoken with Ronaldo. He called him the "greatest symbol" of the national team and said there were no divisions in the squad.

Portugal play Norway on Sunday at home in Porto. They beat Norway 2-1 away earlier in the campaign, with Ronaldo an unused substitute, according to the BBC and the Guardian.

Ronaldo is Portugal's leading goalscorer and most capped player. The BBC puts his record at 146 goals in 234 matches. All three outlets describe his future with the national team as in doubt.

Jesus, 72, managed Ronaldo at Saudi club Al-Nassr before taking the Portugal job, the BBC and the Guardian reported. According to the BBC, he replaced Roberto Martinez for the Nations League campaign.

Portugal are top of Group A4 with nine points from three matches, the BBC reported. The Guardian reported that Fernandes wore the captain's armband against Denmark.

What is disputed

The reports contain no competing accounts of the events. Al Jazeera and the Guardian describe Portugal fans' opinions as split over Ronaldo's decision.

What each side says

• Bruno Fernandes: The Guardian quoted him as saying: "There are no divisions in the national team, it is one and will remain so, despite any noise that may come from outside." The BBC quoted him as saying: "We are outside of this controversy, but what I ask is that the country does not divide itself, does not make choices, that it respects all sides."
• Jorge Jesus: He called Ronaldo a "symbol of Portugal" and said there would be time to speak about him after Sunday's game. "I'm going to focus on the team, on the opponent which is Norway, one of the five best teams in Europe. That's the problem right now," the BBC quoted him as saying.
• Cristiano Ronaldo: He said he left the team after Jesus said he would not start against Denmark, according to Al Jazeera and the Guardian.

What is not known

The reports do not say whether Ronaldo has retired from international football or intends to return. They do not give Jesus's reasons for the selection decision. They include no statement from the Portuguese football federation. They also do not describe what Ronaldo said in his conversation with Fernandes.

Analysis

The episode leaves open the international future of Portugal's record goalscorer and most capped player. Several outcomes remain possible: Ronaldo could return under Jesus, stay away for the rest of the campaign, or end his international career. The reports give no indication of which is more likely. Jesus has deferred the subject until after Sunday's match, so his next comments may clarify his position. Fernandes's appeal suggests the squad wants to stay out of the public debate, which two outlets describe as split among fans. Portugal's results without Ronaldo in the starting line-up do not, on their own, show what effect his absence has had.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.