Both were in the same room. Elma Aveiro, Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister, was speaking to Portuguese journalists at the launch of a book in the Portuguese capital on 14 October. A short distance away stood Jorge Jesus, the man her brother walked out on a week earlier.
Asked whether the 41-year-old would wear the national shirt again, she did not soften the answer.
“It’s more likely a no than a yes. I think both are hurt; it was a situation they experienced, not me, I’m speaking for my brother. I think it’s a situation that’s stalled, we’ll see what happens.”
“I don’t know, it’s very complicated. When we’re betrayed, it’s very difficult to go back to normal.”
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A trust problem, not a playing-time row
The row broke open during Portugal’s October international break. Ronaldo was an unused substitute in the 2-1 UEFA Nations League win over Norway, his first senior Portugal match without a single minute on the pitch in 18 years, having spent part of the game warming up on the touchline.
According to the version Ronaldo set out in a public statement, Jesus had promised him at least 30 minutes of game time against Norway and did not deliver. He then left Portugal’s base in Copenhagen ahead of the Matchday 3 Nations League fixture against Denmark.
The FPF opens the file
The Portuguese Football Federation opened disciplinary proceedings on 9 October and placed Ronaldo under a provisional suspension. The case has been marked urgent and confidential pending its conclusion, and was referred to the FPF Disciplinary Investigation Committee on 10 October.
Federation regulations state that a player who “abandons or fails to appear” at a national-team activity without justification shall be sanctioned with a suspension of one to six months, plus a fine. The final length of any ban has not been announced.
Ronaldo himself issued a lengthy statement in which he apologised to teammates and supporters, accepted he should not have left the camp and said he remained available for selection. His sister’s words on Wednesday pulled in the opposite direction.
A record career, no farewell game
Ronaldo made his senior Portugal debut in 2003 and remains the men’s record holder for international caps and goals. Yahoo Sports reports his situation has shifted from a dispute over minutes to a question of trust, which is the harder problem for anyone trying to mediate.
Portugal’s next international window falls in November, with the Nations League Group A4 fixtures at home to Denmark on 14 November and away to Wales on 17 November. Any suspension above the one-month minimum would keep Ronaldo out of both.
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