Jorge Jesus backs Cristiano Ronaldo tribute and accepts blame if Portugal falter

Jorge Jesus says Cristiano Ronaldo remains a legend of Portuguese football, while accepting that he will be among those held responsible if Portugal’s results decline without their long-serving captain.

The Portugal manager was speaking before the Nations League match against Denmark at Braga Municipal Stadium. Portugal have already secured a place in the quarter-finals and need only one point to confirm top spot in Group A in the competition’s fourth level.

The Portuguese Football Federation is planning a tribute to Ronaldo during the game, but Jesus said the decision was not his to make.

“That is the responsibility of the Portuguese Football Federation, specifically its football and sporting departments, together with the federation president,” he said.

“I think it is a wonderful idea. Nobody can forget the 23 years Cristiano spent with the national team, what he gave and what he represented in football, both with Portugal and with his clubs.”

Jesus previously worked with Ronaldo for a full year and believes his influence extends well beyond the current squad.

“I did not work with Cristiano for just one week; I spent a whole year with him, so I know how important he is, not only to the new players but also to young people all over the world,” he added.

“I think it is excellent that we continue to remember that he is a legend of Portuguese football. I no longer know what will happen next, because only he knows.”

Portugal’s attacking options

With Ronaldo absent, Jesus was asked about Gustavo Varela and Fabio Silva, who offer different qualities in attack.

“Gustavo Varela is a proper striker and is very similar to Goncalo Ramos,” Jesus said. “Fabio has greater movement and knows how to lead an attack on his own. As I said, he often plays as a second striker for Borussia Dortmund, which is why we selected him in the initial squad. We felt he had qualities different from Cristiano and Goncalo Ramos.”

Jesus said both players were still adapting to international football, while he was also learning how best to use them.

“Their work with the national team is different from the work of the Borussia Dortmund manager, who knows his players better than I do. That is natural,” he said.

“Gustavo Varela is having a good season in the Italian league. He is the competition’s leading scorer, and it is one of the five strongest leagues in Europe.”

Jesus said his confidence in the pair reflected the quality and commitment within Portugal’s squad.

The manager also accepted that he would face scrutiny if Portugal failed to meet expectations.

“The coach is always one of the main points of attention. I would not say he is the central figure, but he remains one of the people people look towards,” he said.

Portugal must cope with the pressure of playing for major honours, Jesus added, after Bernardo Silva spoke about the need to reach the World Cup final.

“Winning is different from simply reaching the final, but we have to get there,” he said. “Portugal have won the European Championship, so the national team always plays to win.”

“In the later years of my coaching career, I have become used to leading teams with the aim of winning trophies. If the trophies do not arrive, the coach becomes the focus of criticism and takes responsibility for the negative aspects.”