It was the main topic during the long national team break in September-October. Cristiano Ronaldo and his possible departure from the national team, along with Jorge Jesus' direct attack on the broken promises made by the national team coach. Two unwavering positions, each stuck in his own position, with neither of them, at least seemingly, willing to come down from their fortress and talk. The issue, after almost a month and not a few consequences, may find a solution.
Important sources from Portugal, including the newspaper A Bola, and confirmed by a spokesman for the Federation, speak of the return of CR7 to the list of pre-selected players drawn up by Jorge Jesus for the November break. It is only a preview of the official list, that is true. But they are signals of approach that until recently seemed incredible. The doubts will finally end on November 6, when the national team coach will make public the list of players assembled for the Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales. The procedure foresees that the FPF, usually, sends clubs a preliminary list of around 50 players. Therefore, the Al Nassr star has a good chance of regaining his place in the Seleção, after an issue that has divided the country into two camps.
The two matches on 14 and 17 November will not have any impact on Portugal's performance, as they have already secured qualification for the next stage. But these are matches that will inevitably take on special significance due to the circumstances surrounding them. It should be clarified that the thirty-day suspension imposed by the Federation, due to his absence from the squad on 30 September, does not prevent him from being called up to the national team. It is a retroactive sanction, which starts from that date and, therefore, will cease to have any effect on Friday 30 October. However, it remains to be seen how stable the relationship between CR7 and Jesus is. The latter, according to the footballer, has not respected the agreements to start in the four matches of the last international break.
According to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, the national team coach had violated the agreement, taking him out to warm up without subsequently activating him in one of the matches, against Norway in Oslo, where CR7 was supposed to play for thirty minutes. All this, on the part of the coach, without mentioning the issue in the press conference and also maintaining a cold attitude towards Cristiano. Will the sea return to stormy weather, like on the coast of Nazaré, or will the waters calm down? We only have to wait for November for the new episode of a soap opera that has attracted millions of fans.
