Elma Aveiro, sister of Cristiano Ronaldo, has publicly addressed her brother’s sudden departure from the Portuguese national team setup, sharing a pointed social media message that strongly suggests where she believes the fault lies.
In a post on Instagram, Aveiro wrote, “Betrayal is a dish best served cold, and what goes around comes around. The only way is the way forward,” openly suggesting that her brother was misled in the events leading up to his exit.
This public statement follows reports of a breakdown in communication between Ronaldo and head coach Jorge Jesus ahead of the clash with Norway. Multiple reports suggest that Jesus had informed Ronaldo he would be used as a substitute, having him warm up on the touchline for roughly 30 minutes, only to ultimately leave him on the bench for the entire match.
The mounting frustration culminated this week when Ronaldo departed the national team training camp altogether, announcing his exit on social media without providing full details of his decision. As Jesus is scheduled to address the situation following Sunday’s match against Norway, Aveiro’s comments add another prominent public voice supporting her brother’s perspective.
Elma Aveiro’s official Instagram account.
Portugal Thrives in Nations League Despite Ronaldo’s Absence
Despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil, Portugal’s performance on the pitch has remained strong. Ronaldo started the opener against Wales but had minimal impact, with a goal disallowed for offside and little else to show for his efforts before being substituted in their 1-0 win.
Ronaldo subsequently missed the match against Norway entirely, with Gonçalo Ramos stepping in to score the winning goal. He was also absent for Thursday’s 4-2 victory over Denmark, where Ramos found the net for a second consecutive game.
With three games played and three wins secured, yet zero goals or standout moments from the player long considered the heart of the team, Ronaldo’s immediate future remains highly uncertain.
He will also be unavailable for Sunday’s fixture against Norway. With Portugal still set to face Denmark and Wales in November to conclude the group phase, it remains unclear whether Ronaldo will ever again wear the Portuguese national team shirt in 2026.