Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has explained his decision not to use Cristiano Ronaldo in the team’s opening Nations League matches, insisting there was no major dispute between him and the captain despite growing reports of tension.
Jesus said Ronaldo’s limited involvement had been discussed with the forward beforehand and was part of a plan based on his physical condition.
The explanation came during a press conference in Copenhagen ahead of Portugal’s Nations League meeting with Denmark, before Ronaldo later left the team’s training camp.
Jesus said his priority was Portugal’s campaign rather than questions surrounding one individual player, while acknowledging the attention generated by Ronaldo’s situation.
Why Ronaldo did not play
Jesus said he had already agreed with Ronaldo that the 41-year-old would not feature in Portugal’s matches against Norway and Denmark.
According to the coach, the decision was based on his assessment of Ronaldo’s physical condition and was similar to the way he managed Bruno Fernandes.
Jesus said his previous working relationship with Ronaldo meant he was familiar with the forward’s physical demands and did not consider his absence from the opening matches unusual.
The coach also said Ronaldo had previously indicated that he would respect whatever decision was made about his playing time.
Jesus explained that he considered bringing Ronaldo into the Norway game late on but ultimately decided against it after assessing how the match was developing.
He said the decision was not based on Ronaldo’s status but on what he believed was best for Portugal at that point in the game.
Jesus denies Ronaldo refused to train
The Portugal coach also rejected reports that Ronaldo had refused to train with the squad.
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Jesus said Ronaldo completed gym work, mobility exercises and strength training as part of the team’s workload management.
He added that other players, including Francisco Conceição and João Félix, also had modified training arrangements because of injury or fatigue management.
Jesus was particularly firm when asked again whether Ronaldo had refused to train.
He said such a refusal had not happened and maintained that there was no training dispute involving the captain.
Why Ronaldo warmed up but stayed on the bench
Ronaldo warmed up during Portugal’s match despite not eventually entering the game.
Jesus said this was because he had initially considered using the forward later in the match.
According to the coach, Ronaldo’s decision to warm up did not mean he had been promised a specific amount of playing time.
Jesus acknowledged that Ronaldo would naturally have been disappointed after warming up without being introduced, but said that reaction did not amount to a major confrontation.
The coach maintained that he had followed the same principle with other senior players.
Jesus says status does not change the rules
Jesus stressed that a player’s reputation does not give them special authority over selection decisions.
He said established players deserve respect for what they have achieved, but that the coach must ultimately make decisions based on the team’s needs.
The coach also pointed to his handling of Bruno Fernandes, saying he had similarly discussed the midfielder’s workload and expected availability with him.
Jesus said the approach was intended to ensure that Portugal’s senior players were managed carefully while still being subject to the same basic team rules.
What happened after the press conference?
Despite Jesus’ insistence that there was no serious problem, the situation changed shortly afterward.
Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen ahead of the Denmark match. The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed his departure, while Ronaldo later said he would explain the circumstances behind his decision at a later time.
Reuters reported that Ronaldo’s departure came shortly after Jesus publicly addressed the situation and acknowledged that the player had been unhappy about being left out. Jesus, however, continued to deny that there had been a major incident or that Ronaldo had refused to train.
The development has now added uncertainty to Ronaldo’s immediate future with the national team, although there has been no announcement that he has retired from international football.
Ronaldo had entered Portugal’s new Nations League campaign under Jesus after being included in the coach’s first squad. The Portuguese Football Federation’s official squad list confirms his selection for the 2026/27 Nations League campaign.
For now, the accounts from Jesus and Ronaldo’s subsequent actions leave the circumstances of the camp exit as the main focus, with Ronaldo yet to publicly provide the full explanation he said would come later.