English Premier League
Jorge Jesus set to apologise to Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal row
Jorge Jesus is expected to apologise publicly to Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal’s match against Denmark, according to Portuguese journalist Pedro Sepulveda, in an attempt to end a dispute that has escalated since the manager’s comments at Wednesday’s news conference.
Ronaldo did not play in Portugal’s victory over Norway in the second round of the UEFA Nations League group stage. The decision followed two consecutive days in which the captain did not train, after becoming angry at being left out of the starting line-up.
The disagreement intensified when Jesus addressed the decision at his pre-match news conference before the Denmark fixture. The manager was asked about reportedly promising Ronaldo that he would play against Norway before later changing his mind.
“I can promise whatever I want. I am the coach,” Jesus said. “I told the player that he would not start the match and that he would be on the bench. If I need him for 30 minutes, he will play, and if I do not need him, he will not play.”
He added: “There is no player who will change my ideas, neither him nor anyone else in football. Not even any president will do that. It will never happen.”
Ronaldo subsequently left the Portugal camp without saying goodbye to his team-mates. The Al-Nassr forward then posted a statement on social media which appeared to suggest he was considering ending his international career.
“Following the national team manager’s news conference, and after speaking with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team camp,” Ronaldo said.
“At the right time, I will tell all Portuguese people the truth about the reasons that led me to leave the team to which I have always devoted myself.”
The Portugal captain ended his message by saying: “Now is the right time to wish Portugal and all my team-mates, without exception, the best of luck.”
Sepulveda later claimed that Jesus would address the situation after the Denmark match. Writing on X, he said: “Jorge Jesus will apologise to Ronaldo in front of everyone after tonight’s game. Will it be enough to bring the captain back?”
The proposed apology would provide a possible route towards resolving the dispute, although it remains unclear whether Ronaldo would return to the Portugal squad. Jesus’s comments had followed the player’s absence against Norway, while Ronaldo’s departure and statement have put his international future into question.