Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to return to the Portugal national team during the November international break, according to Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proença.
Proença said the federation, head coach Jorge Jesus and Ronaldo's teammates all want the 41-year-old captain back with the national team, despite the disciplinary proceedings currently pending against him following his departure from Portugal's camp.
“The Federation, the coach, all the teammates are aligned: we want Cristiano back. I expect him back already during the November international break,” Proença said.
The FPF president also said Ronaldo himself is willing to return, describing the Portugal captain as “the best of all time.”
Ronaldo Still Facing Disciplinary Proceedings
The positive comments from Proença come only hours after the FPF confirmed that Ronaldo had been provisionally suspended while a disciplinary case is investigated.
The case relates to Ronaldo's decision to leave Portugal's training camp after tensions with Jesus. The FPF's disciplinary body opened proceedings and imposed a non-automatic preventive suspension, while classifying the case as urgent.
However, the provisional suspension is not the final punishment.
Proença stressed that the disciplinary process is being handled independently by the FPF's Disciplinary Committee and that the federation president does not determine the eventual sanction.
This means Ronaldo's availability for the November fixtures ultimately depends on the outcome of that process.
Proença Says Everyone Wants Ronaldo Back
Speaking in Porto, Proença attempted to lower tensions surrounding the dispute and said there was a collective desire to see Ronaldo return.
The federation president said the disagreement between Ronaldo and Jesus should be regarded as a misunderstanding and that the priority now was to move forward.
He said the federation was working toward having all 25 members of the previous squad together again during the next international break.
“Everyone, without exception, wants to be together again in November,” Proença said.
His comments indicate that the dispute has not fundamentally changed Portugal's desire to have Ronaldo involved in the national team.
Ronaldo Had Apologised for Leaving Camp
Ronaldo previously acknowledged responsibility for his decision to leave the national team camp.
After the incident, the Portugal captain apologised for failing to properly acknowledge supporters following the victory over Norway and for leaving his teammates.
He also said he understood that his actions could result in punishment and that he would remain available for Portugal after serving any sanction imposed on him.
That position appears consistent with Proença's latest statement that Ronaldo is willing to return.
Dispute Began With Jorge Jesus
The controversy began after Ronaldo was left as an unused substitute during Portugal's victory over Norway.
Ronaldo later said there had been a breakdown in trust between himself and Jesus concerning his expected role in the team. Jesus disputed that there had been a formal agreement with Ronaldo but has also left open the possibility of the striker returning to the squad.
Proença has characterised the disagreement as a misunderstanding and said the parties should learn from what happened.
The FPF president's comments suggest that neither the federation nor the coaching staff views the dispute as something that should permanently prevent Ronaldo from representing Portugal.
November Fixtures Await Portugal
Portugal's next international window is scheduled for November, with Denmark and Wales on the schedule.
Portugal will face Denmark at home on November 14 before travelling to face Wales on November 17.
Proença's comments suggest that the federation hopes Ronaldo will be available for those matches.
However, that remains an expectation rather than a confirmed selection. The disciplinary committee still has authority over the suspension, and its final decision could affect Ronaldo's availability.
Ronaldo's Importance to Portugal
Ronaldo remains Portugal's most prolific international goalscorer and one of the most experienced players in world football.
He has represented Portugal for more than two decades and remains a central figure in the national team's plans.
Proença highlighted Ronaldo's long association with the federation and national team, saying there is a strong desire to have him back in the squad.
For now, the immediate issue is the disciplinary case. If the committee's eventual decision allows him to return in November, Ronaldo could quickly put the controversy behind him and resume his role with Portugal.
Until that decision is made, however, his November appearance remains subject to the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings.
