Cristiano Ronaldo will not play for Portugal again while Jorge Jesus remains head coach, according to reports from CNN Portugal, with the rift between the two now threatening to spill into a long running stand off.
Journalist Rui Santos said on CNN Portugal that Ronaldo had set a firm condition for any comeback.
"I can tell you that Cristiano has been very disappointed with these statements. He has allegedly made it clear that he will not return to the national team as long as Jesus remains in charge."
The fallout followed Ronaldo's early exit from the squad during the September international window.
According to EFE and Reuters, tension had built over playing time, with the forward warming up on the sideline during the win over Norway before being left out of the match entirely.
Marca reported that Ronaldo subsequently left the camp and flew back to Saudi Arabia, later posting a farewell message to the national team on Instagram. The outlet added that the Portuguese Football Federation, led by Pedro Proenca, has since pushed for mediation talks.
Jesus has downplayed the dispute, insisting the door remains open.
Speaking after Portugal's win over Norway, he said, "I don't know what's going to happen, for me everything is open. He has to decide his life before the call up. If he is playing and wants to be in the national team, he can come back whenever he wants, why not."
The coach described the episode as a misunderstanding rather than a deeper rupture.
"It was a misunderstanding and, in my opinion, it is easy to resolve. As far as I am concerned, everything is fine," he told reporters, adding that he would not be apologising for how matters unfolded.
I can tell you that Cristiano has been very disappointed with these statements. He has allegedly made it clear that he will not return to the national team as long as Jesus remains in charge.Journalist Rui Santos, on CNN Portugal
The row has drawn comment beyond football. Former politician Antonio Jose Seguro defended Ronaldo publicly, saying, "You cannot treat a man who has taken Portugal and its culture to every corner of the world like this," a remark that pushed the dispute into wider national debate.
Portugal have continued to perform strongly without their former captain, winning four from four in Nations League Group Four to reach 12 points and secure a quarter final spot.
Sports Illustrated has suggested Ronaldo could yet return as part of a series of farewell matches planned around 2027, potentially setting up an appearance in the November fixtures against Denmark and Wales if the federation and coaching staff can broker a truce beforehand.