Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in Portugal’s preliminary squad for next month’s Nations League matches, paving the way for an international return after his fallout with coach Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo, 41, abruptly left the Portugal camp on September 30 during the opening Nations League qualifiers, accusing Jesus of breaking his word over game time.
A spokesperson for the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) on Tuesday confirmed reports that Ronaldo is in line to return ahead of home and away fixtures against Denmark and Wales on November 14 and 17.
The FPF spokesperson said Jesus will announce his final squad on November 6.
The federation last week announced it had handed Ronaldo a 30-day suspension for walking out of camp. The ban was backdated, meaning he will be eligible to return by the end of this week.
Ronaldo had apologised to supporters earlier in October, saying he would accept any punishment imposed.
The Al Nassr forward, in a social media post shortly after leaving his teammates, accused Jesus of promising him playing time against Norway and failing to honour it.
He however insisted he was not retiring from international duty.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward also said another issue was that Jesus failed to mention at a press conference before the Denmark game a series of points they had agreed upon.
Reigning champions Portugal won all four of their Nations League matches, three of them without Ronaldo, and qualified for the quarter-finals with two games to spare.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is the all-time top scorer and record appearance-maker in men’s international football.
Ronaldo, who made his Portugal debut in 2003 at 18, has said this will “probably” be his final year in football.
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