Portugal expect Cristiano Ronaldo return despite provisional suspension

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) expects Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the national team during the November international break, despite the forward being provisionally suspended while disciplinary proceedings are opened against him.

Ronaldo is facing action after leaving Portugal’s training camp during the previous international window, 24 hours before the team’s match against Denmark. The Portuguese Football Federation’s disciplinary council announced on Saturday that it had opened proceedings against the captain of Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

The council also imposed a temporary, non-automatic suspension on Ronaldo and classified the case as “urgent”. The measure is the first formal sanction against the 40-year-old while the investigation continues and before a final punishment is announced.

However, FPF president Pedro Proenca said within hours of the decision that he wanted Ronaldo back with the senior side for the next international window.

“The Federation, the coach and all of Ronaldo’s team-mates are aligned: we want Cristiano back,” Proenca said in comments reported by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

“I expect him back already during the November international break. He is also keen to return. He is the best player of all time.”

The comments came despite reports suggesting Ronaldo, widely known as the “Madeira Rocket”, could receive a suspension lasting between one and six months.

Portugal will complete the group stage of the UEFA Nations League next month. They host Denmark on 14 November before travelling to face Wales three days later in their final group match.

Roberto Martinez’s side have already secured their place in the quarter-finals after winning each of their opening four matches. Those victories have left Portugal top of their group with 12 points.

The disciplinary case follows Ronaldo’s early departure from the camp before the Denmark fixture, but Proenca’s statement indicates that the federation, head coach and squad remain united behind his return.

A final decision on the incident has not yet been announced. Ronaldo’s immediate suspension is therefore separate from any definitive sanction that may follow once the disciplinary process has been completed.