Jorge Jesus says Portugal’s Ronaldo row will not divide squad

Jorge Jesus said Portugal’s internal dispute involving Cristiano Ronaldo had not affected the team’s unity after they beat Denmark 4-2 in the Nations League at Parken in Copenhagen on Thursday.

The Portugal manager was pleased with the way his side secured victory in the third match of his tenure, saying the team was improving with each performance and benefiting from its match analysis.

“What pleased me most was the victory, naturally,” Jesus told Portuguese newspaper A Bola. “This was our third match, and I feel the team is getting better from game to game. We develop through the analysis we carry out after matches, and in the next game the team usually performs at a higher level, both defensively and offensively.”

He also praised the players for overcoming the challenge posed by Denmark, particularly at set-pieces.

“Winning 4-2 here is not easy,” he said. “Denmark are a big team, difficult to stop, with great technical quality and great strength from set-pieces. Once again, we were good defensively in that area.”

Jesus was similarly impressed by the way Portugal responded to Denmark’s high press and by the commitment shown to his defensive approach.

“I liked the pressing a lot, and the way the team believes in defensive pressing,” he added. “Playing like that is very complicated.”

Asked whether he felt the squad was firmly behind him, Jesus rejected the notion that the players were under his control. Instead, he said they had accepted and trusted his footballing ideas.

“I do not have a group in my grip. I have a group that believes in the coach’s idea,” he said. “They believe in my ideas, and because they have great individual quality, things become easier.”

He then added: “If that means I have a group in my grip, then yes, I do, because they are moving forward hand in hand with me and my ideas.”

Ronaldo controversy

Questions about Ronaldo have surrounded Portugal in recent days after the Al-Nassr forward left the national-team camp before the Denmark match. He was reportedly angry after not playing against Norway.

Jesus said he would only address the situation after Portugal’s next game, insisting his immediate attention remained on football.

“After the next match, we will see what happens,” he said. “Until then, I have to remain focused on the next match, just as I was focused on today’s game.”

When asked whether the developments had made it difficult to maintain concentration, Jesus dismissed the suggestion.

“It is not difficult for me to focus,” he said. “Do you know what is difficult for me? Not understanding what is happening inside. Not knowing how to coach my players. That is what is difficult for me. The rest… zero.”

Jesus finished by insisting that the events surrounding Ronaldo had not weakened Portugal’s collective spirit.

“What matters is what we have to do,” he said. “The things that happen do not divide the group. They have not divided us, and they will not divide us.”