Ronaldo's international career 'more likely over than not' after Portugal walkout, says sister

Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career appears to be in serious jeopardy after his sister Elma Aveiro said his return to the Portugal squad would be ‘more likely a no than a yes’, following the veteran forward’s dramatic walkout from the national team camp during the October international break.

Ronaldo left the squad after a reported dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus over his playing time. He subsequently issued a lengthy public apology, but the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has since opened disciplinary proceedings against him, ordering a preventive suspension while the case is investigated.

Speaking at a book launch event, Elma Aveiro offered a bleak assessment of her brother’s prospects of pulling on the national shirt again. “I think both [Cristiano and Jorge Jesus] are hurt; it was a situation they experienced, not me, I’m speaking for my brother,” she said. “I think it’s a situation that’s stalled, we’ll see what happens.”

Asked whether the two men could reconcile their differences, she was equally cautious. “I don’t know, it’s very complicated. When we’re betrayed, it’s very difficult to go back to normal.”

Aveiro also expressed frustration at the public reaction to her brother’s situation. “My feeling is one of sadness because the Portuguese people unfortunately forget what has already been done and think that things should be done differently now,” she said. “I’m speechless, it’s very difficult to see my brother go through this. He is one of the people who least deserve this.”

Not everyone in the Portugal camp has closed the door on Ronaldo’s return. Midfielder Vitinha said he hoped the situation could be resolved and that Ronaldo would come back into the fold. “It was a chaotic international break. Full of emotions,” Vitinha said. “On my end, I just hope everything resolves for the best. That he returns and everything turns out fine. The truth is that’s what all of us want.”

The FPF confirmed on October 10, 2026 that disciplinary proceedings had been referred to its Disciplinary Investigation Committee, describing the case as urgent and noting that it would remain confidential until the investigation concludes. Ronaldo was subject to an automatic preventive suspension before formal proceedings began, with a non-automatic suspension subsequently ordered on top of that.

At 41, Ronaldo remains active at club level with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, but the walkout and its fallout have raised genuine questions about whether he will ever represent Portugal again.