Ronaldo's Return to Portugal 'More No Than Yes', Says Sister Elma Aveiro

The door to the Portuguese national team may be closing on Cristiano Ronaldo. Elma Aveiro, sister of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, delivered a bleak assessment Wednesday in Lisbon of the 41-year-old striker’s chances of returning to the Seleção.

“It’s more no than yes,” she told the local press, on the sidelines of a book launch that was also attended by coach Jorge Jesus. “I think they are both hurt. For now, it’s a deadlocked situation. We’ll see what happens.”

Her position comes after tensions that erupted during Portugal’s last gathering, where Ronaldo’s attitude drew criticism, while other voices denounced Jorge Jesus’s lack of consideration for him. Despite CR7’s stated willingness to remain available for a potential call-up, Elma Aveiro sees little chance of a quick reconciliation between the two men.

“I don’t know, it’s very complicated. When you suffer a betrayal, it’s very difficult to return to normal,” she said, days after their mother took a position in favor of the former Real Madrid player.

Ronaldo’s sister also expressed her pain at the situation. “I’m speechless. It’s very hard to see my brother going through such an ordeal. He’s probably one of the people who deserves this the least,” she confided.

Elma Aveiro also broadened her remarks to the attitude of the Portuguese public. “I feel sadness, because the Portuguese unfortunately forget what has already been accomplished and now believe that things should be done differently,” she regretted, highlighting the growing gap between the legend of Portuguese football and part of his own country.