Despite the suspension: the Portuguese Federation announces Ronaldo's return to the national team

"The Don" wins

Cristiano Ronaldo will return to the Portugal squad for November's international break, the Portuguese Football Federation has announced.

The federation's disciplinary council confirmed earlier on Saturday that it had opened proceedings against Ronaldo for leaving the camp during the last international window, 24 hours before the match against Denmark.

Classifying the case as "urgent", the council also handed the Al-Nassr captain a provisional, non-automatic suspension. It marks the first official sanction while the investigation runs its course and a final punishment awaits.

Pedro Proença moved quickly. Within hours of that decision, the federation president made clear he wants Ronaldo back for the next international break.

"The federation, the coach, and all of Ronaldo's teammates are of one heart, we want Ronaldo to return," Proença said, in remarks reported by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

He added: "I expect him to return during the international break in November, and he is also eager to return, and he is the best player of all time."