Ange Postecoglou has said Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to return for Al-Nassr after the Portugal captain left international duty following a dispute with Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo returned to his club on Monday after being left on the bench for Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League victory in Norway on 27 September. He departed the camp after Jesus indicated that he would not start him against Denmark four days later.
Postecoglou, who took over as Al-Nassr manager, declined to offer an opinion on the disagreement between Ronaldo and Jesus, who previously coached the Saudi club. The 41-year-old forward accused Jesus of breaking promises in a statement issued after his departure from the Portugal camp.
“I don’t like to talk about what happened with his national team,” Postecoglou said before Al-Nassr’s league match against Al Draih on Thursday.
“Ronaldo played for us with full commitment and his morale is very high. I’m his coach now at Al-Nassr, and he is a great addition to our team.”
The Australian said Ronaldo was available for selection, adding: “Ronaldo has returned and is ready to play.”
Postecoglou also referred to his own experience of managing Australia and explained why he would not criticise or discuss another national-team manager.
“I previously coached a national team for four years, and I don’t like club managers talking about national team managers, so I won’t comment on that.”
Jesus responded to Ronaldo’s statement on Wednesday with a brief comment. “I read the statement and now, like I do every day, I am going to the federation to work, to think about the team and the national team,” he said.
Ronaldo has apologised to his Portugal teammates and said he will accept any punishment imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation. He remains hopeful of returning to the national team, for whom he has scored a record 146 goals in 234 appearances.
Portugal won all four of their Nations League matches during the latest international window. Ronaldo’s next possible involvement with the team will come in November, when Portugal are due to face Denmark and Wales.
At club level, Ronaldo won the Saudi Pro League title last season with Al-Nassr under Jesus.
