Portugal national team head coach Jorge Jesus has publicly refuted reports of a falling out with captain Cristiano Ronaldo. The rumors gained traction following the 2-1 victory over Norway in Oslo on Sunday, where the Al-Nassr forward remained on the bench and headed straight to the locker room at the final whistle instead of acknowledging the traveling fans with the rest of the squad. According to instead, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United player headed to the changing rooms – prompting, He was unhappy with the manager.
Addressing the media ahead of the upcoming Nations League fixture against Denmark on Thursday, Jesus insisted that no formal incident occurred. The manager explained that he had informed Ronaldo before the Norway match that he would not start, though he remained an option for a second-half appearance. Jesus stated that his decision not to bring the 41-year-old on during the game was a standard tactical choice, noting that any player would be unhappy after spending significant time warming up without seeing the pitch.
The coach further addressed speculation concerning a training ground dispute on Tuesday. Jesus clarified that there was no refusal to participate; instead, the veteran forward was sidelined from team drills to complete an individual program focused on strengthening and mobility. He confirmed that the player would return to full training sessions on Wednesday.
Despite these assurances, Portuguese media reported that Ronaldo did not join his colleagues on the pitch in Denmark, with footage appearing to show him departing Parken stadium accompanied by backroom staff. Reports also suggested that a private jet linked to the forward was traveling toward Copenhagen during this period.
Looking toward the next match, Jesus confirmed that AC Milan striker Goncalo Ramos, who secured the winning goal against Norway, will remain the first-choice starter. Regarding Ronaldo’s involvement, the coach maintained a pragmatic stance, stating that the captain will be utilized only if the game situation dictates a need for his presence on the field.
