English Premier League
Jorge Jesus says Cristiano Ronaldo row was ‘a non-existent issue’
Jorge Jesus has denied there is any dispute with Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, describing reports of tension between the pair as “a non-existent issue”.
The Portugal manager was speaking on Wednesday at a news conference before Thursday’s Nations League meeting with Denmark, when he said the story had been exaggerated by the country’s media.
“There is a lot being said about this in Portugal, to the point where I do not understand what is happening,” Jesus said. “But there was nothing to discuss.”
Jesus said the media coverage had prompted him to speak to Ronaldo about a situation he believed did not exist.
“They basically forced me to talk to Cristiano about a situation that was never there,” he added.
The manager explained that he had asked Ronaldo about the reports and was told the decision over his involvement was entirely his.
“I said to Cristiano: ‘There is a lot being said about this in Portugal…’ Cristiano replied to me: ‘I am here for you to decide. If you want me to play, I will play. If you do not want me to play, I will not play. If you want me in the stands, I will go to the stands,’” said Jesus.
“We had already analysed everything after dinner. There was not even a problem.”
Ronaldo did not refuse to train
Jesus also rejected claims that Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr, had refused to take part in training.
“No, he did not refuse to train,” said Jesus. “Cristiano trained in the gym, did mobility exercises on the pitch and then completed muscle-strengthening work at the hotel.”
“That is exactly what happened. He will train today, so come and watch the session and you will see him.
“And I am not talking only about Cristiano: do you really think a player in the national team can refuse to train? Not only in Portugal, but in any national team. That is what I wanted to make clear.”
The comments followed reports that Ronaldo was unhappy after being left out of Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway on Sunday in the second round of the Nations League.
The “Al-Nassr” forward did not take part in the match, including as a substitute, and did not train with his team-mates on Monday or Tuesday.
Before the fixture, Jesus had said he planned to use Ronaldo but indicated that the forward was unlikely to start.
After the final whistle in Oslo, Ronaldo went straight from the substitutes’ bench to the tunnel. He did not join his Portugal team-mates in applauding the Portuguese supporters who had attended the match.