Jesus denies rift with Ronaldo after Portugal win in Olso
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus said there was no rift with captain Cristiano Ronaldo after the forward did not play in Portugal's 2-1 Nations League win over Norway in Olso on Sunday, comments made before Portugal's Nations League match against Denmark on Thursday.
Jorge Jesus coached Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi club Al-Nassr and addressed reports of a dispute after the Norway game. Cristiano Ronaldo did not feature against Norway and did not join his team-mates in going over to the visiting fans at the final whistle, instead heading to the changing rooms and prompting suggestions he was unhappy. Portuguese media later reported the player had refused to train.
Speaking to media before the Denmark match, Jesus said: "There was no incident whatsoever." He added: "Any player - and I was a player myself - when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don't get on, no-one is happy about that." Jesus also said he had told Ronaldo before the match he would not be starting, but might be brought on later in the game.
Commenting on his decision after the Norway match, Jesus said: "Afterwards, as coach, I decided not to bring him on. It's nothing to make a fuss about." He dismissed reports Ronaldo had refused to train on Tuesday, saying the 41-year-old instead had to do individual exercises for "mobility" and "strengthening" and would train as normal on Wednesday.
Ronaldo did not join his team-mates on the pitch in Denmark, with Portuguese media sharing a video of him leaving Parken stadium alongside two members of the backroom staff. Those outlets also reported Ronaldo's private jet was heading to Copenhagen.
Goncalo Ramos scored the winner against Norway and Jesus confirmed the AC Milan striker would again be preferred to Ronaldo against Denmark, saying: "If everything goes according to plan, it will be Goncalo who plays." He added: "If I need [Ronaldo], he'll come on. If I don't need him, he won't."
Jesus confirmed his selection preference for Thursday's Nations League match against Denmark, with Ramos expected to start and Ronaldo available to be used from the bench if required.
