Ronaldo rejects reconciliation talks and flies back to Riyadh amid Portugal rift

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly rejected any prospect of a reconciliation meeting with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus, choosing to fly back to Riyadh on a private jet rather than address the growing rift over his international future.

The dispute erupted after the 41-year-old was left as an unused substitute in Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway last weekend, prompting him to leave the national team camp ahead of schedule. Jesus had publicly extended an olive branch, saying he wanted to speak with Ronaldo after Portugal’s Nations League fixture against Norway — but according to Portuguese outlet Abola, Ronaldo has declined that option and is set to return to Al-Nassr.

Record had reported that a face-to-face meeting between Ronaldo and Jesus could have taken place in Madrid in the coming days. With that now appearing unlikely, the prospect of a swift reconciliation looks far from certain.

Jesus had been careful to keep the door open while keeping his focus on the squad. “We need to focus on the national team, on the match against Norway, on what we need to do well, in harmony with our people,” he said. “But that doesn’t stop me from thinking about him. He’s a symbol of the Portuguese national team, he’s a symbol of Portugal, let’s be clear about that. After the match, we’ll have time to talk about it.”

In Ronaldo’s absence, Portugal have continued to perform. With Goncalo Ramos leading the line, they have collected strong away wins against both Norway and Denmark. Sunday’s home fixture against Norway in Porto is their final game of this extended international break.

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes, one of Ronaldo’s closest allies in the squad, urged the country not to take sides. “What I told him, and what I repeat here, is regardless of what happens, Cristiano Ronaldo will never cease to be the greatest symbol of our national team, of our football, and of the country, for what he has done not only in Portugal but throughout the world,” Fernandes said. “What I ask is that the country does not divide itself, does not make choices, that it respects all sides.”

Ronaldo had featured in Portugal’s opening fixture of the international window against Wales before being dropped from the starting XI for the Norway game — a decision that, according to reports, prompted him to take immediate action and issue a statement announcing his early departure from camp.