The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has reaffirmed its commitment to Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting that the legendary forward remains an important member of the Portugal national team whenever he is fit and available for selection.
FPF president Pedro Proença made the position clear in a statement shared on the federation’s X account on Monday, describing Ronaldo as an enduring symbol of Portuguese football and national identity.
Proença praised the 40-year-old forward’s contribution to Portugal over more than two decades and defended his continued selection for the national team.
According to the FPF president, Ronaldo’s place in the squad is based on his sporting qualities and performances.
He also dismissed concerns surrounding an alleged disagreement between Ronaldo and Portugal coach Jorge Jesus, describing the situation as a misunderstanding that should be resolved within the national team setup.
Proença said the issue would be addressed calmly now that Portugal had completed its recent run of four matches.
He further stressed that Ronaldo remains closely connected to the national team, pointing to his continued leadership role as captain.
The FPF president also highlighted Ronaldo’s decision to continue representing Portugal despite having the opportunity to potentially end his international career at the World Cup.
Proença said Ronaldo’s decision reflected his strong attachment to the national team and his relationship with Portuguese supporters.
He added that he had personally witnessed the bond between Ronaldo, the Portuguese public and the national side.
With Portugal’s latest four-match schedule completed, Proença said there was now an opportunity for the parties involved to sit down and settle the reported disagreement with Jorge Jesus.
The federation chief ultimately left the door open for Ronaldo’s continued international career, saying the Portugal captain remains part of the country’s football legacy and will be available whenever the coach considers him fit and ready for selection.
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