{
  "id": 12029960,
  "title": "Ronaldo can return to Portugal team if he wants, says coach Jesus",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/ronaldo-can-return-to-portugal-team-if-he-wants-says-coach-jesus",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T22:32:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/05/ronaldo-can-return-to-portugal-team-if-he-wants-says-coach-jesus"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the national team if he desires, despite the star player's decision to sit out the side during a recent match. The dispute arose when Jesus excluded 41-year-old Ronaldo from the starting lineup for Portugal's first win against Norway, leading to Ronaldo's walkout on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters, Jesus stated that if Ronaldo wishes to be considered for future call-ups, he will be welcome to do so. The coach emphasized that the final decision rests with Ronaldo, acknowledging that the veteran attacker made his Portugal debut in 2003 at the age of 18 and is Portugal's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. Jesus reiterated his commitment to having Ronaldo on board for his first games as Portugal's new manager after replacing Roberto Martinez.",
  "summary": "The dispute began after 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo was left on the bench for Portugal's first Nations League win over Norway.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Ronaldo deserves beautiful farewell from Portugal — Bruno Fernandes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/ronaldo-deserves-beautiful-farewell-from-portugal-bruno-fernandes",
        "published": "2026-10-04T20:54:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport Football",
        "title": "Portugal boss says door open for Ronaldo return",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/portugal-boss-says-door-open-for-ronaldo-return",
        "published": "2026-10-04T22:10:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Ronaldo can return to Portugal team if he wants: coach Jesus",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/ronaldo-can-return-to-portugal-team-if-he-wants-coach-jesus",
        "published": "2026-10-04T22:18:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ronaldo can return to Portugal team if he wants, says coach Jesus",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/ronaldo-can-return-to-portugal-team-if-he-wants-says-coach-jesus-12031330",
        "published": "2026-10-04T22:32:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Cristiano Ronaldo can return to Portugal team if he wants, says Jesus",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/cristiano-ronaldo-can-return-to-portugal-team-if-he-wants-says-jesus",
        "published": "2026-10-04T23:16:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Ronaldo can return to Portugal team if he wants - Coach Jesus",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/ronaldo-can-return-to-portugal-team-if-he-wants-coach-jesus-12029877",
        "published": "2026-10-04T23:39:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}