{
  "id": 12237631,
  "title": "'Ronaldo can rejoin Portugal team if he wants'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/ronaldo-can-rejoin-portugal-team-if-he-wants",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T22:00:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/10/1548508/ronaldo-can-rejoin-portugal-team-if-he-wants"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Portugal coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that superstar Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the national team if he wants, according to a statement released on Sunday. Ronaldo's decision not to start against Denmark came after he was left out of the starting lineup for Portugal's first win over Norway. Jesus stated that Ronaldo can be considered for future selections, regardless of his current club, Al-Nassr. The coach emphasized that Ronaldo's choice will be the deciding factor in his return to the team, following their qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals. Ronaldo, Portugal's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, has expressed that this could be his final year in football.",
  "summary": "Your browser does not support the audio element.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘Cristiano Ronaldo should decide how he wants to end his time with national team’, says Portugal coach Jesus",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/cristiano-ronaldo-should-decide-how-he-wants-to-end-his-time-with",
        "published": "2026-10-05T06:22:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Portuguese football federation backs Ronaldo to continue with Portugal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/portuguese-football-federation-backs-ronaldo-to-continue-with-portugal",
        "published": "2026-10-05T06:42:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Cristiano Ronaldo will be back for last dance with Portugal – Pereira",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/cristiano-ronaldo-will-be-back-for-last-dance-with-portugal-pereira",
        "published": "2026-10-05T06:59:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Portugal team officials say door is open for Cristiano Ronaldo to return after ‘misunderstanding’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/portugal-team-officials-say-door-is-open-for-cristiano-ronaldo-to",
        "published": "2026-10-05T09:20:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport Football",
        "title": "A nation divided as Ronaldo left with big decision on Portugal future",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/a-nation-divided-as-ronaldo-left-with-big-decision-on-portugal-future",
        "published": "2026-10-05T10:22:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "A nation divided as Ronaldo left with big decision on Portugal future",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/a-nation-divided-as-ronaldo-left-with-big-decision-on-portugal-future-12129173",
        "published": "2026-10-05T10:23:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Portugal coach leaves door open for Cristiano Ronaldo after walkout",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/portugal-coach-leaves-door-open-for-cristiano-ronaldo-after-walkout",
        "published": "2026-10-05T12:15:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}