Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to return to the Portugal national team setup in 2027 for a final farewell stint, despite the recent controversy that led to his departure from the squad’s training camp.
According to Portuguese journalist Miguel Pereira, communication channels have opened between Ronaldo’s representatives, head coach Jorge Jesus’s technical staff, and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). However, no official announcement has been made regarding a timeline for his return.
The fallout began after Jesus left Ronaldo on the bench for the entire duration of Portugal’s victory over Norway, subsequently informing the veteran forward that he would also be excluded from the starting lineup against Denmark. Consequently, the 41-year-old decided to leave the camp prior to the match.
Ronaldo is determined not to end his international career under these circumstances, particularly after stating before the UEFA Nations League campaign that his primary remaining career goals are winning the tournament and reaching 1,000 official career goals.
The Portuguese legend currently stands at 979 official career goals for club and country, leaving him 21 goals shy of the milestone. He has previously expressed a desire to score his 1,000th goal while wearing the national team shirt. At the international level, Ronaldo has scored 146 goals across 234 appearances.
Any potential return will depend on a successful reconciliation, Ronaldo’s willingness to accept Jesus’s tactical choices, and his physical condition over the coming year, with all parties interested in granting the record-holding international goalscorer a fitting sendoff.
