{
  "id": 12031330,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T22:32:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "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 stated that Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the national team if he wishes, despite the star player's recent absence during a match. Ronaldo walked out on his teammates last week when he was left on the bench for Portugal's first win over Norway, which led to his absence from the squad during the team's victory to reach the Nations League quarter-finals. Jesus confirmed that Ronaldo can be called up for his next appearance if he so desires, emphasizing that any discussions would be between the two of them, just as they had before the recent call-up. Ronaldo, Portugal's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, has indicated that this could be his final year in football.",
  "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",
        "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."
}