{
  "id": 12046073,
  "title": "Ronaldo's Portugal return possible? Coach Jesus clears the air",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/ronaldos-portugal-return-possible-coach-jesus-clears-the-air",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T01:13:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/cristiano-ronaldos-portugal-return-possible-head-coach-jorge-jesus-clears-the-air-on-41-year-olds-future/articleshow/134683422.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has confirmed that the return of Cristiano Ronaldo to the national team is still a possibility after the 41-year-old captain was left on the bench for recent matches. Ronaldo's decision to leave the squad was reportedly due to being benched against Norway and not starting against Denmark. If Ronaldo is willing to return, Jesus stated that they can discuss his involvement in the next call-up. However, Jesus emphasized that Ronaldo is the one who will ultimately decide his future with the team. The Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca also stated that Ronaldo remains part of the team's plans and that his departure was a misunderstanding that should be handled internally.",
  "summary": "Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has left the door open for Cristiano Ronaldo to return after the 41-year-old left the squad last week. Jesus said the decision is Ronaldo’s, while federation president Pedro Proenca backed the captain and called the episode a misunderstanding. Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record scorer and most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 appearances.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Portugal: Jorge Jesus agrees to Ronaldo meeting in bid to end rift",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/portugal-jorge-jesus-agrees-to-ronaldo-meeting-in-bid-to-end-rift",
        "published": "2026-10-04T12:41:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Portugal stays perfect without Ronaldo in Nations League, Germany held by Greece",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/portugal-stays-perfect-without-ronaldo-in-nations-league-germany-held",
        "published": "2026-10-04T21:23:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}