Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly reaffirmed his bond with Saudi Arabia, a move that sharpens questions about his future with the Portugal national team. The 41-year-old striker repeated the phrase "I'm Portuguese, but I belong to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" on Al Nassr's social media on Monday after a 3-1 win over Neftchi.

The declaration echoes his words from June 2025 and comes amid reported tension with the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and manager Jorge Jesus. Former international António Leal e Silva reacted with disappointment. "I honestly don't know who has been advising or giving tips to Cristiano Ronaldo lately or in recent years," he said. "I feel a little sad, because he is someone I respect immensely for the football he plays."

The gesture in Riyadh

The episode took place at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh, in a match delayed by an hour due to a city-wide security alert. Before kick-off, Ronaldo kissed the Saudi national crest on his Al Nassr jersey. After the final whistle, he draped a scarf bearing the country's flag over his shoulders as the club's official account posted the image with the controversial caption.

On the pitch, Ronaldo scored his team's second goal in the 42nd minute, taking his career tally to 981 goals. The Riyadh side leads the Saudi Pro League and the Portuguese star's contract has been extended to 2027.

The national team context

While Ronaldo asserts himself in Arabia, the Portugal national team is in a positive spell without him. Jorge Jesus's side is on a four-game winning run, most recently a 2-1 victory over Norway on October 4th with goals from João Cancelo and Gonçalo Ramos. The next challenge is a friendly against Denmark at home on November 14th.

The FPF, meanwhile, has begun highlighting Ronaldo's goals for Al Nassr on the national team's official Instagram page, a shift in approach noted after the controversy began. This differential treatment has been publicly questioned, raising issues about the management of the legacy of Portugal's all-time top scorer. Ronaldo's immediate focus remains on his club, where he has lived for nearly four years, away from the starting eleven of a national team that continues to win. Jorge Jesus's next squad selection, for the match against Denmark, will be a clear indicator of the path forward.

This story first appeared at VnExpress International Sports