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Cristiano Ronaldo's self-imposed international absence looks set to come to an early end, with reports from his home country of Portugal suggesting he will be included in a preliminary squad for next month's UEFA Nations League fixtures.
Questions had arisen over whether Ronaldo would ever don the Portugal shirt again after he walked out of the national team camp following a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus over his role in September. Even his own sister added to the uncertainty surrounding his international future.
Ronaldo himself at least acknowledged he was in the wrong for departing, even while pointing the finger at his manager, and the 41-year-old expressed willingness to serve whatever punishment came his way and move forward. Few anticipated the sanctions handed down by Portugal's football federation would be so minimal.
Ronaldo received a 30-day ban from the national team during a stretch when no international fixtures were scheduled. The federation's disciplinary regulations allowed for a suspension of up to six months, yet he was handed the mildest penalty possible.
The ban took effect in early October and conveniently wraps up before the November international window opens. He was also issued a fine of €255 ($284.20)—yes, you read that right, two hundred and fifty-five euros—which amounts to roughly 40 seconds of earnings based on his Al Nassr wages alone.
O Jogo reports that Ronaldo has been "pre-selected" for Jesus's November squad, when Portugal takes on Denmark and Wales to wrap up the Nations League group stage. It remains unclear how many players feature on that preliminary list or how many could be dropped. However, Ronaldo's inclusion at this point strongly suggests a return at the earliest chance—selecting him on a preliminary list only to drop him would be a needlessly provocative move by Jesus.
Portugal Inclusion Crucial for Ronaldo's Last Two Targets
Many had anticipated the 2026 World Cup could be Ronaldo's final chapter in a Portugal shirt—his other sister made that bold claim during the tournament, describing it as his 'last dance' for the national side. Yet the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star chose not to bow out in the same manner that Lionel Messi opted to conclude his Argentina career.
Ronaldo has experienced and achieved almost everything across more than 24 years as a professional footballer, reshaping the game's record books along the way. The 2026–27 season is widely expected to be his final one before full retirement, a notion the player himself has hinted at, though he is eager to cap it with a third Nations League title with Portugal, having previously lifted the trophy in 2018–19 and 2024–25.
Portugal has already secured a quarterfinal spot following four consecutive victories in September and October. The two November games are therefore inconsequential in terms of the competition, but they could prove valuable for Ronaldo in his other remaining pursuit: becoming the first footballer to reach 1,000 career goals. The quarterfinals are scheduled for March 2027, with the semifinals and final to follow in June.
Ronaldo moved to 981 goals when he netted for Al Nassr in an AFC Champions League Elite clash against Uzbekistan's Neftchi Fargona on Oct. 12. He requires just 19 more to reach the four-figure milestone, but goals have not been coming as freely this season. He has managed five in 12 appearances across club and country combined—and at that scoring rate, every additional game will be vital to his cause.