According to Portuguese media outlet Observador, Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus held a meeting on Tuesday evening.
Initially, Proença's early departure was a major news item that evening. He had arrived at Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport, preparing for an immediate flight to Copenhagen. However, two hours later, with another meeting underway, everything seemed to return to normal, and the Portuguese Football Federation president's travel plans were no longer the focus of news.
Proença's appearance at the airport attracted attention for three main reasons. Firstly, he had previously attended Portugal's victory over Norway in Oslo and then returned to Portugal. He was originally scheduled to travel to São Miguel Stadium in the Azores on Wednesday to watch Portugal U21 play against Gibraltar U21, a match from which Portugal U21 was expected to secure qualification for the next U21 European Championship.
Secondly, there was no obvious reason to travel to Scandinavia early unless something had occurred. Finally, after media were directed to wait in one area of the airport, Proença went to another, thereby avoiding all potential questions from reporters. The situation between Jesus and Ronaldo was believed to be the issue he was traveling to address.
In the previous UEFA Nations League match, Ronaldo remained on the bench and did not play. The initial plan was for him to appear, but the final decision aligned with the needs of the game situation at the time. After the match, the Portuguese captain immediately returned to the locker room, being the only player who did not go to the stands where the Portuguese fans were. Approximately 700 fans were supporting Portugal in Oslo.
Regarding this, Jesus said: "I believe what you say, but I didn't notice it at all. Only he can answer. The fact that he didn't play doesn't mean I no longer rely on him. I still rely on him. Before the game, I told him: 'You won't start, but I will bring you on during the match.' But football is like that—the game situation dictates your choices. In that situation, there was no reason to substitute a striker for a player with Ronaldo's characteristics, and we knew we still had a match against Denmark coming up."
Jesus added: "I need to talk to him, but I know him well. The national team belongs to all of us, and as captain... I can't answer what he's thinking; I'll only know after talking to him."
This was the first time since 2008 that Ronaldo was on the bench for a competitive match and did not get to play.
On Tuesday, Ronaldo was on the pitch only for gym training. João Félix and Francisco Conceição also did not participate in the day's training session. Training continued in the Swedish city of Malmö, where the Portuguese team has been based, before heading to Copenhagen for Thursday evening's match against Denmark.
Upon boarding the team bus, Jesus was smiling and briefly responded to related questions, downplaying external concerns. Jesus said: "Have I talked to him? I talk to him every day, all the time..."
Meanwhile, as some media described an atmosphere of "unrest" or even "tension" within the team, Ronaldo posted a photo of himself on social media, accompanied by the Portuguese flag and a heart emoji. Previously, there were speculations that the two had already met during the day, especially before and after training. However, Observador confirmed that no such meeting had occurred at that time.
It was not until Tuesday evening that the two actually met. This news was first reported by Portuguese broadcaster RTP and subsequently confirmed by Observador. The meeting yielded positive results, with both Jesus and Ronaldo satisfied with the discussion and now focusing on Portugal's next two matches: against Denmark and against Norway at the Estádio do Dragão. However, this meeting does not necessarily guarantee Ronaldo will start on Thursday. The two had communicated about his potential starting role before the current training camp began. Nevertheless, any potential dissatisfaction that arose after the Oslo match has been resolved.
On Wednesday, the Portuguese team will arrive in Copenhagen and conduct their routine pitch adaptation training before the third-round match of the UEFA Nations League A. Before that, Jesus will attend the pre-match press conference with one player. It appears likely that this player will be a member of the captaincy group, but not Ronaldo.
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Dihaciknyz
0
Actually Ronaldo doesn't want his country's Football organisation to bribe FIFA's so called fathers to entertain fans like Messi
But he is already entertaining us by languishing on Portugal bench, your goat is not sick, your goat is not injured and your goat is physically fit but yet your goat is not fit to even come in from the bench as a sub. We hear useless goals but now we see useless fitness. Retire you say no, go and learn from Messi you say no, but we don't want to see your goat with all his fitness warming Portugal bench and we don't want to see him crying like a little girl kid like he did when Yamal knocked him out of the world cup.
Ciuacenopy
0
It will be better if cr7 try and learn from Messi. Messi is not only better on the pitch but he also has a better strategy to achieve everything he wants.For example after 2022 world cup Messi move from Psg to MLS at Maiami because 2026 world cup will played in America /Mexico, so it not out of order to say Messi joined MLS to prepar for the world cup and see what he did at the world cup and with that he may win the next balloondor. And now see Messi as retired from Argentina national team it is also another strategy by Messi to shed the burden of national team away and then concentrate on club football to prepare himself for next world cup, trust me Messi still has unfinished business at the world cup, the strategy is to keep playing, be in good shape, avoid injury and be in good shape till next world cup to be able to earn a recall to led Argentina to the world cup that the final will be played at Camp Nou, but cr7 doesn't understand that, he only try and use his fans to force himself to continue. I think cr7 must be humble enough to learn from Messi.
Actually Ronaldo doesn't want his country's Football organisation to bribe FIFA's so called fathers to entertain fans like Messi
Dihaciknyz
6
It will be better if cr7 try and learn from Messi. Messi is not only better on the pitch but he also has a better strategy to achieve everything he wants.For example after 2022 world cup Messi move from Psg to MLS at Maiami because 2026 world cup will played in America /Mexico, so it not out of order to say Messi joined MLS to prepar for the world cup and see what he did at the world cup and with that he may win the next balloondor. And now see Messi as retired from Argentina national team it is also another strategy by Messi to shed the burden of national team away and then concentrate on club football to prepare himself for next world cup, trust me Messi still has unfinished business at the world cup, the strategy is to keep playing, be in good shape, avoid injury and be in good shape till next world cup to be able to earn a recall to led Argentina to the world cup that the final will be played at Camp Nou, but cr7 doesn't understand that, he only try and use his fans to force himself to continue. I think cr7 must be humble enough to learn from Messi.
omochris
0
Ronaldo is becoming an embarrassment to Portugal and the next generation of footballers.
It is you that is an embarrassment to your family and your entire generation. You're a big fool. Since you lack common sense. CR7 is living rent free on your head.
Caddilrstz
1
Ronaldo is becoming an embarrassment to Portugal and the next generation of footballers.
You are shallow minded
Butcenou
2
Cr7 has suffered,the media eat from his palms so even if he yawns, they will escalate it to almost 3 headlines to sell. Is he the only captain who has walked straight to the dressing room without applauding the fans. Messi has done it several times but they didn't escalate like this. This is bcos even if they escalate it, it won't sell like how Cr7 stories are selling.
Rmulbah1992
5
Ronaldo is becoming an embarrassment to Portugal and the next generation of footballers.