Jorge Jesus, the head coach of the Portugal national football team, spoke about the crisis that arose with Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese football legend, ahead of the match against Denmark in the 2027 UEFA Nations League.
Portugal will face Denmark tomorrow, Thursday, as part of Matchday 3 of the 2027 UEFA Nations League.
Cristiano Ronaldo did not participate in Portugal's match against Norway last Sunday evening, remaining on the bench for the entire game due to a decision by coach Jorge Jesus, which caused anger among the captain of the European Brazil.
Ronaldo met with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation and Jesus, and the issue was resolved among all parties, (click here for more details).
Jesus said at the press conference before the match: "The most important thing is the goal we are aiming for in Copenhagen. It is about respecting the opponent; we are facing a strong competitor, and our mission is to win the Nations League."
He continued: "I do not have just one player; I have 23 players. You can ask whatever questions you want about any player. As for Ronaldo, one question is too few, and three questions are too many, so I will allow only two questions about him. Ronaldo is not the main reason I am here; the main reason is facing Denmark and my role as the national team coach."
He added: "It is true that I discussed this matter with him. We set a plan exactly as we did with Bruno Fernandes. I told Chris that he would not play in the match against Norway or the following one against Denmark. I have been working with Chris for a year; I did not join the national team just three months ago to suddenly meet him."
He went on: "I am fully aware of his physical condition, just as I knew previously during our time working in Saudi Arabia, where matches were played every three days, and Chris rarely played in every match. He never trains on the first or second day after a match, ever."
He further stated: "I discussed this matter with him during the camp, specifically at the first press conference in Portugal. He said, 'Whether I play or sit on the bench, I will stay. I will do what the coach wants.' He has never refused anything. That is what happened."
He emphasized: "The course of the match determines what needs to be done. I had agreed with him not to play in the next two matches, but perhaps I might have needed him in the final minutes. However, the match presented a different reality, so I did not use him. This is the core point."
He revealed: "I have spent a year working with Chris. There is no problem here, man (the journalist). I have faced issues with many players before, so do not try to create drama around something that does not exist. The rules apply equally to everyone. Nevertheless, a player's status allows the coach to consider their past achievements and to be cautious and precise when making decisions before the match."
He affirmed: "The same applies after the match, where the coach must make a decision. This decision is always based on the most important goal, which is the team's interest, while always maintaining respect for the players."
He clarified: "I said the same thing to Bruno Fernandes. After the match against Wales, he was suffering from an injury, but I know Bruno well because he has worked with me before. I asked him, 'What is wrong? You are not the Bruno I know.' Then he confided in me about what was on his mind. I told him, 'You will not play in the next match; instead, you will play the one after that in Denmark, provided you recover.' This is exactly what I did with Ronaldo."
He continued: "Bruno will play in Denmark. A player's status does not grant them special privileges. Status means respecting their professional career, which is something I am keen on with everyone, including Chris, and also with others I have coached throughout my career. I have always explained what I intend to do and the plan I have devised through consultation with them, but ultimately, I am the one who makes the decision."
He concluded: "Ronaldo performed training in the gym, doing mobility and flexibility exercises on the pitch, followed by strengthening exercises at the hotel. He did not refuse training and will train today. It is our fourth day, so he will train. He has never refused training; that is impossible. Do you believe that? Not just Chris, but do you think any player on the national team refuses to train? Not in the Portugal national team; no one refuses to train."
