'Cristiano will be eligible for selection' - Jorge Jesus opens Portugal door for Ronaldo return

Ronaldo left the Portugal camp earlier in the international break, creating uncertainty over his relationship with the new head coach. However, Jesus insists the situation has not damaged his authority and believes the 41-year-old can still return.

"I don't know what Cristiano may decide. I've already said what I had to say," Jesus said after Portugal secured their place in the Nations League quarter-finals.

"For me, this was never an issue. Having a player who is a symbol like him does not mean there has to be anything non-negotiable on my part as a coach. Nothing happened that called my authority into question."

Jesus made it clear that Ronaldo remains eligible for selection when Portugal's squad is next announced.

"For me, Cristiano will be eligible for selection the next time the squad is announced, provided he is playing. If he wants to, he will return to the national team," he said.

"You can't break up a year-long friendship because of a situation I can't even understand."

The disagreement arose after Ronaldo was involved in the warm-up but did not play, although Jesus stressed that such situations happen regularly with other players.

"This whole problem only arose because it was him, because he did or did not warm up. That happens with every player," he said.

"Cristiano is different; he is a symbol, but for me it was never a problem."

Portugal's victory over Norway means they have already booked their place in the quarter-finals, with two more group matches to come in November.

Jesus admitted he would welcome the chance to meet Ronaldo before then and clear the air, although he stressed that both sides would need to play their part.

"I agree, but that does not depend on me. Both people have to reach an understanding," he said.

The Portugal boss also backed Bruno Fernandes' description of Ronaldo as the country's "greatest symbol".

"I completely agree with what Bruno Fernandes said. That is also my view," Jesus said.

He revealed that he had previously told Ronaldo that he did not believe the striker should end his international career after Portugal's World Cup defeat.

"One of the things I told Cristiano was that he could not end his national-team career after losing at the World Cup and walking off in tears," Jesus said.

"He was supposed to play here today, but, given everything that happened, the situation changed. Everything has been said. I am the head coach, I select whoever I want, and I don't ask anyone who I should select or who should play."

Jesus also rejected the idea that he should apologise over the incident.

"It was because the player had been warming up. Now, apologise for what and to whom? I don't apologise to anyone," he said.

Portugal's next Nations League match is against Denmark on Saturday, 14 November, at the Braga Municipal Stadium, where attention is likely to remain on whether Ronaldo will be part of Jesus' plans.