Jorge Jesus finally talks about Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation and gives him an important decision to make.
Cristiano Ronaldo is welcome to come back to the Portugal team, says head coach Jorge Jesus, who spoke about the situation after Sunday’s Nations League win over Norway.
Last week, Ronaldo left Portugal’s camp after Jesus chose not to play him against Norway, even though Ronaldo warmed up for about 30 minutes. After the game, Ronaldo, Jesus, and Pedro Proenca, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, had an emergency meeting, but questions about Ronaldo’s future with the team are still there.
Ronaldo promised he will explain why he left camp suddenly. Jesus said he would share his side of the story after the Norway game. On Sunday, Jesus did just that. During his press conference, the 72-year-old said Ronaldo can return to the national team if he wants to.
“I don’t know what Cristiano will decide,” he said after Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway. “I’ve already said what I needed to say. For me, this was never a big problem. Having a player like him doesn’t mean some things are untouchable. Nothing happened that made me lose authority.
“For me, Cristiano can be picked for the next team if he’s playing well. If he wants to, he will come back. You can’t end a long friendship over something I don’t really understand. This problem only came up because it was him warming up or not. That happens with every player. Cristiano is special, but for me, it was never an issue.”
Before the Norway game, Bruno Fernandes said Ronaldo is still the “greatest symbol” and “greatest icon” of the Portugal team and called for calm and unity. Jesus agreed. “I completely agree with Bruno,” he said. “I told Cristiano he should not end his national team career after the World Cup loss and walking off in tears.
“He was supposed to play today, but because of what happened, things changed. I’m the coach, I choose who plays, and I don’t ask anyone for advice. Ronaldo was warming up, that’s all. Now, who should I apologize to? I don’t owe anyone an apology,” Jesus added, according to Flash Score.