João Cancelo picked up the phone during the international break. The Barcelona full-back called Ronaldo in private, kept the content of the conversation to himself, and when he was asked about the absent forward after Portugal beat Norway 2-1 on Sunday he reached for the firmest words available.

“Cristiano is our captain. He is the symbol of the National Team and the best player Portugal has ever had. Coach and Mr Pedro Proença will talk about this,” Cancelo told reporters.

Cancelo also said the saga would end well, insisting the situation “will certainly end in the best way”.

Ronaldo is not with the squad. The 41-year-old forward left the Portugal training camp during the international break and flew back to Saudi Arabia rather than stay with the group. He had been an unused substitute in Portugal’s earlier Nations League meeting with Norway on 28 September.

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Jesus plays down the walkout

Jesus spoke publicly about Ronaldo’s exit for the first time after the Norway match and played the row down.

“I don’t know what will happen. For me, everything is still open. Cris has to decide what he wants to do with his own life,” Jesus said after the match.

“If Cris is still playing and wants to be in the national team, why not?”

Jesus described the row as “a misunderstanding” and said no resentment remained. The decision on a recall now sits with him and Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença.

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The call Cancelo won’t talk about

Cancelo was more open about his own role than about what was actually said. He confirmed he had spoken to Ronaldo during the international break but drew a line there.

“We spoke with Ronaldo this week, but I won’t say what we discussed,” the defender said, adding that “only Proença, Jesus and Ronaldo will know what will happen”.

Portugal through to the quarter-finals

The 2-1 victory at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto sealed Portugal’s place in the Nations League quarter-finals. Kristoffer Ajer opened the scoring for Norway before Cancelo levelled with a powerful finish and Gonçalo Ramos struck the winner in the second half.

Jesus’s next squad list is due before November’s international window.

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