Ronaldo stepped up in first-half stoppage time on 20 October, with Al-Nassr having been awarded a penalty just before half-time, and dragged the spot kick wide of the post. He later missed an open goal from close range. João Félix spared him by curling in the only goal shortly after the hour, according to Goal’s match report.

Al-Hilal great Sami Al-Jaber told Saudi talk show Nadeena that the explanation was not Ronaldo’s finishing but his head.

“Ronaldo is clearly suffering from a psychological crisis, because of what happened to him with the Portugal national team.”

“The Ronaldo we know does not squander chances like these, but he is suffering from a distracted mind,” Al-Jaber added.

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The row with Jesus and the sanction

The crisis Al-Jaber referred to broke open at the end of September. After sitting out as an unused substitute in Portugal’s 2-1 win in Norway on 27 September, Ronaldo left the national-team camp rather than stay for the next fixture. He accused head coach Jorge Jesus of promising him minutes and then changing his mind, a “breach of trust” Jesus denied.

The Portuguese FA’s disciplinary council handed down its ruling on Monday 19 October: a 30-day suspension backdated to 30 September, and a €255 ($285) fine for what the panel judged an intentional breach under Article 160(1) of the federation’s disciplinary code. In its decision the federation said the sanction was “adequate and sufficient”, noting that Ronaldo’s full admission and clean disciplinary record had reduced the penalty, as reported by the Associated Press.

Ronaldo had submitted a 2,000-word statement and his CV to the panel asking for no leniency, apologising for leaving his teammates and for not acknowledging the travelling supporters after the Norway match.

Jesus left the door ajar before the ban

Jesus had not slammed it shut. Speaking after the Norway win, before Ronaldo walked out and before the federation acted, the Portugal coach said: “Cristiano Ronaldo can return to Portugal team if he wants.”

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The timing of the suspension works in Ronaldo’s favour. Because it was backdated to 30 September, it expires before Portugal’s November Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales, and the 41-year-old is eligible again as soon as that window opens. Al-Nassr head coach Ange Postecoglou keeps him in Riyadh until then.

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