Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha has called for Cristiano Ronaldo to return to Portugal's national team, expressing hope that the dispute between the veteran forward and head coach Jorge Jesus can be resolved. His comments follow a turbulent international break that saw Ronaldo leave the squad and face disciplinary proceedings over his conduct.
The 26-year-old made the appeal on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, after scoring in Paris Saint-Germain's 4-2 UEFA Champions League victory over Manchester City in England. Speaking to TNT Sports Brasil, Vitinha described the recent international period as emotionally difficult and said Portugal's players wanted their captain to rejoin the squad.
“It was a turbulent international break, full of high emotions,” Vitinha said, before expressing his desire for a resolution that would allow Ronaldo to return.
The midfielder avoided taking sides in the disagreement, focusing instead on the possibility of restoring normal relations between the player, the coach and the national team.
He said his hope was that the matter would be settled satisfactorily and Ronaldo would once again become available for international selection.
“The truth is, that's what we all want,” Vitinha added, emphasising the desire for reconciliation rather than further confrontation.
His remarks came after Ronaldo's departure from Portugal's training camp in Copenhagen ahead of the country's UEFA Nations League encounter with Denmark earlier this month.
The dispute began after Ronaldo remained an unused substitute during Portugal's 2-1 victory over Norway on September 27.
The 41-year-old forward had reportedly warmed up for approximately 30 minutes during the match but was not introduced by Jesus.
Ronaldo subsequently expressed dissatisfaction with the coach's handling of his playing time and the explanations surrounding his omission.
The situation escalated when the Portugal captain left the national team's training camp before the match against Denmark.
Jesus had publicly defended his authority to determine team selection, maintaining that decisions about the starting line-up and substitutions were his responsibility.
The coach's position reflected the management structure under which players are selected according to tactical requirements, fitness considerations and the circumstances of individual matches.
However, Ronaldo later alleged that Jesus had failed to honour assurances given to him concerning his role within the team.
In a public statement issued on October 6, the forward accused the coach of breaking his word on two occasions.
Ronaldo said the disagreement concerned an arrangement under which Jesus was expected to explain publicly why he had not featured against Norway.
According to the player, the explanation did not materialise as he had understood it would, contributing to his decision to leave the squad.
The account represented Ronaldo's interpretation of the events, while Jesus disputed the suggestion that a binding agreement had been made.
Despite criticising the coach, Ronaldo acknowledged that leaving the national team camp had consequences.
He apologised to his teammates for the disruption and said he would accept any punishment imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward also maintained that he remained willing to represent Portugal in future international matches.
His statement therefore did not amount to an announcement of retirement from international football.
The Portuguese Football Federation subsequently opened disciplinary proceedings concerning his departure from camp.
On October 10, reports confirmed that Ronaldo had been provisionally suspended while the matter was being examined.
The measure was described as a temporary disciplinary action rather than a final determination of the case.
The federation had not announced a definitive punishment by October 15, and the details of the proceedings were expected to remain confidential while the investigation continued.
Federation president Pedro Proença indicated that the authorities wanted the dispute resolved, although the disciplinary process would remain subject to the appropriate decision-making procedures.
The uncertainty has attracted considerable attention because Ronaldo remains one of Portugal's most prominent footballers.
He has represented the national team for more than two decades and has accumulated a record 146 international goals in 234 appearances.
His achievements include helping Portugal win the European Championship in 2016 and the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019.
Ronaldo has also remained an influential figure in international football through his club career, currently playing for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
Nevertheless, his status and previous achievements do not automatically determine his selection for individual matches.
The disagreement with Jesus has consequently raised questions about how Portugal manages the transition between established senior players and emerging members of the squad.
Jesus assumed responsibility for the national team following the departure of Roberto Martínez after Portugal's elimination from the 2026 World Cup.
His appointment introduced a new coaching structure and different expectations concerning squad management.
The recent Nations League fixtures have provided an early examination of his approach, including how he uses experienced players alongside younger alternatives.
Portugal continued competing after Ronaldo's departure, recording a 4-2 victory over Denmark on October 1.
Vitinha was among the goalscorers in Copenhagen, while João Félix scored late in the match to secure the result.
The victory demonstrated that the team could continue producing results without its longstanding captain, although it did not resolve the disagreement surrounding his absence.
Portugal completed the international period with four victories from four Nations League matches.
Vitinha featured in all four encounters, placing him among the players directly involved in the campaign affected by the controversy.
His latest remarks suggest that the dressing room would welcome a resolution enabling Ronaldo to return.
However, the midfielder did not claim to represent an official decision by the federation or announce that an agreement had been reached.
Other Portugal players have also addressed the issue, with attention focused on maintaining unity and supporting the coaching staff.
The dispute has generated contrasting public reactions, including criticism of Ronaldo's decision to leave camp and expressions of support for his continued involvement.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney was among those who criticised the walkout, arguing that leaving teammates during an international assignment was inappropriate.
Such assessments remain opinions about the player's conduct rather than findings from the federation's disciplinary process.
There have also been reports of efforts to arrange discussions between Ronaldo and Jesus.
Portuguese media indicated that the coach was prepared to participate in a meeting intended to resolve the disagreement, subject to Ronaldo's willingness to engage.
No completed reconciliation or formal agreement had been publicly confirmed by October 15.
Portugal's next scheduled Nations League fixtures are against Denmark and Wales in November.
Those matches could provide an opportunity for Ronaldo to return, depending on the disciplinary outcome, his availability and the coach's selection decisions.
Vitinha's intervention comes as Portugal prepares for those fixtures while managing the consequences of the dispute.
For the midfielder, the immediate priority is restoring a situation in which the captain and the national team can move forward without the disagreement overshadowing preparations.
His comments underline the distinction between supporting Ronaldo's return and challenging the authority of the coach.
The midfielder expressed confidence that a resolution would be welcomed by the squad, while leaving the necessary decisions to the individuals and institutions involved.
With disciplinary proceedings unresolved, Ronaldo's international future remains open rather than conclusively settled.
The coming weeks will determine whether discussions produce an agreement and whether the forward becomes available for Portugal's November matches.
For now, Vitinha has publicly made clear that he hopes Ronaldo will return and that the dispute will end.
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