"If he wants to, he'll return to the national team."
Portugal boss, Jorge Jesus, has paved the way for Cristiano Ronaldo to make a sensational return to the national team.
The 41-year-old left the Portugal camp after being an unused substitute in his side's 2-1 Nations League win over Norway and then discovering that he would not be in the starting XI for the next game.
Ronaldo then revealed on social media that he would "tell the truth to all Portuguese people" about his reasons for leaving following widespread reports that he held "crisis talks" with manager Jesus in the aftermath of the Norway fixture.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward is Portugal's all-time leading appearance maker and all-time leading goalscorer, netting 146 goals in 234 games.
Ronaldo started, and played 67 minutes, in Pourtugal's Nations League opener against Wales but was subsequently dropped to the bench and reportedly became frustrated that he was asked to warm-up during the second half without being brought on.
Despite the fallout, Jesus is open to Ronaldo making a return to the Portugal squad, telling the media: "If he wants to, he'll return to the national team.
"We can talk before the next call-up, but Cris is the one who's going to decide.
"Cristiano should end his time in the national team the way he wants, he's the one who will decide how he wants it.
"In my first call-up, I said, 'I need you, I need you to be close to me, playing or not playing, I need you'. And now I'm saying the same thing."
Portugal have won all four of their games over the international break, defeating Wales, Denmark and Norway twice to sit six points clear at the top of their Nations League group.
Lusos won the last edition of the tournament -- Ronaldo on the scoresheet in a penalty-shootout victory over Spain in the final -- and remain the only nation to be crowned Nations League champions more than once after success in inaugural 2018/19 campaign.
