Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister has hinted that the Portuguese superstar is unlikely to return to international football after he was suspended by his country following an explosive falling-out with boss Jorge Jesus. 

Ronaldo, 41, caused controversy during the recent international break when he left Portugal’s camp over what he claimed were ‘broken promises’ by Jesus.

That came after he was left on the bench during their 2-1 Nations League win over Norway, with the Portuguese Football Federation subsequently suspending the forward for his actions. 

Ronaldo has since expressed a desire to return to the team, yet his sister, Elma Aveiro, poured cold water on that likelihood on Wednesday evening.

Speaking at a book launch event in Lisbon, which was ironically also attended by Jesus, Aveiro reflected on the saga and gave her thoughts on Ronaldo’s international future.  

‘It’s more likely a no than a yes,’ she said. ‘I think both [Cristiano and Jorge Jesus] are hurt; it was a situation they experienced, not me, I’m speaking for my brother.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s decorated international career could be finished, his sister has claimed 

Elma Aveiro said that ‘it’s more likely a no than a yes’ when asked what happens next 

‘I think it’s a situation that’s stalled, we’ll see what happens.’

When pressed on whether the pair could make up, she added: ‘I don’t know, it’s very complicated. When we’re betrayed, it’s very difficult to go back to normal.’

Reflecting generally on what happened, Aveiro said: ‘My feeling is one of sadness because the Portuguese people unfortunately forget what has already been done and think that things should be done differently now. 

‘I’m speechless, it’s very difficult to see my brother go through this. He is one of the people who least deserve this.’

Ronaldo’s sister’s comments come after his mother, Dolores Aveiro, also hit out at the scenario, insisting that ‘they are not valuing her son’, before she added: ‘He could have left through the front door and instead he left through the back door.’

Although Ronaldo fans are unlikely to enjoy hearing his sister’s comments, back in the summer, one of his other siblings Katie said that he would retire from international football after the World Cup. The 41-year-old was forced to shut down those claims. 

Ronaldo’s main issue was his belief that a plan had been drawn up for him to come off the bench for 30 minutes in the aforementioned tie with Norway, but Jesus made him warm up without bringing him on because he ‘didn’t need Cristiano’. 

Before Portugal’s subsequent match against Denmark, the 41-year-old is understood to have agreed to an eight-point statement for Jesus to deliver at his press conference, aimed at quashing speculation that Ronaldo was demanding more playing time. 

But Jesus veered off course, prompting Ronaldo to bail on the Portugal camp before releasing an extraordinary 1,996-word statement accusing the manager of twice backtracking on his word.

Despite apologising to his team-mates, Ronaldo now faces suspension while an investigation into his conduct takes place, and he could now miss the entire international break in November.

Ronaldo accused Portugal boss Jorge Jesus of backtracking on what he had promised

In a statement last week, the Portuguese FA said: ‘Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against Cristiano Ronaldo pursuant to a decision by the Non-Professional Section dated October 9, 2026, aimed at determining whether the events reported on October 7, 2026, warrant disciplinary action.

‘Without prejudice to the automatic preventive suspension to which he was subject prior to the initiation of proceedings, a non-automatic preventive suspension of the player was ordered, and the case was designated as urgent.

‘The case was referred to the FPF Disciplinary Investigation Committee on October 10, 2026, with the proceedings remaining confidential until the conclusion of the investigation.’