Portugal players say Ronaldo decision belongs to coach and officials

Portugal defender Nuno Mendes has said the national team is ready to welcome any player who joins the squad, while stressing that the decision over Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation lies elsewhere. Mendes was speaking ahead of Portugal’s upcoming match at the Dragão. According to comments reported by football journalist Fabrizio Romano, he said the players were concentrating on their responsibilities and on coach Jorge Jesus’ instructions.

“He is a player for the national team, and we are more focused on what we have to do now and on what the coach wants to bring to us,” Mendes said when asked about Ronaldo. He added that the squad would welcome whoever joined the team but said the players were not responsible for deciding the matter. Jesus also told Portugal to focus on the Dragão match.

He said the Ronaldo situation would be considered after the game rather than becoming a distraction before it. Portugal defender Renato Veiga said he remained close to Ronaldo but declined to discuss the circumstances. Veiga said he had been instructed not to speak about the issue.

The comments indicate that the Portugal squad is maintaining a public focus on its immediate fixture while leaving Ronaldo’s position to the coaching staff and relevant officials. The supplied material does not explain the underlying dispute or state whether Ronaldo has been omitted, selected or otherwise placed in question.