Oslo’s cold evening left Portugal with a 2-1 victory over Norway and an unexpected talking point: Cristiano Ronaldo spent the entire match on the bench. Ahead of Thursday’s meeting with Denmark, Jorge Jesus has moved to calm the debate, insisting there is no rift with the Portugal captain and that the decision formed part of a physical-management plan agreed with the forward.
A planned rest after the Norway win
Ronaldo had started Jorge Jesus’s first match in charge, the victory against Wales, but did not play in Norway despite warming up during the second half. His unused substitute role prompted reports in Portugal that the 7 shirt was unhappy with the situation.
Jesus said he had already spoken directly with Ronaldo and had initially intended not to use him against either Norway or Denmark. The coach pointed to their year together at Al-Nassr as the basis for his understanding of the 40-year-old’s fitness needs.
- Portugal opened Jesus’s tenure by beating Wales, with Ronaldo in the starting side.
- Portugal then won 2-1 away to Norway in Oslo, while Ronaldo remained among the substitutes for all 90 minutes.
- Denmark are Portugal’s next opponents on Thursday, in Jesus’s third match as national-team coach.
- Jesus has begun his Portugal spell with two wins from two games.
“Status is one thing, but the rules apply equally to everyone,” Jesus said.
Knowledge from Al-Nassr shapes the decision
The coach explained that Ronaldo’s workload had also been managed in Saudi Arabia, particularly during periods when fixtures arrived every three days. He said the forward does not normally train on either of the first two days after a match, a routine discussed between the pair.
Jesus said his previous daily work with Ronaldo meant this was not a judgement made after only a short period with the national side. He added that Bruno Fernandes was also included in the squad-management planning.
“I told Cris he would not play against Norway or Denmark,” Jesus said. “I know his physical condition very well.”
Yet the Norway match did not entirely remove the possibility of an appearance. Jesus said he had considered calling on Ronaldo late on, despite the initial agreement, but felt the course of the game did not require it.
Denmark decision remains open
Ronaldo has not been ruled out of the Denmark fixture. Jesus said the captain’s involvement will depend on what happens in the match rather than on any disciplinary or personal issue.
“If the team needs him, he will come on. If it does not, he will not,” the coach said.
Jesus also rejected any suggestion that Ronaldo had refused to follow instructions from the staff. He recalled the player’s own willingness to accept whichever role was assigned to him, whether that meant starting or waiting on the bench.
Focus on a 23-man squad
Before taking questions, Jesus limited the Ronaldo discussion to two questions and stressed that Portugal’s preparations could not revolve around one player. He said he was responsible for a 23-man group and that the immediate purpose of the media appearance was Denmark and his work with the national team.
For Portugal, the trip from Oslo now leads into another test with a perfect early record under their new coach. For Ronaldo, the question is no longer whether he has been sidelined by disagreement, but whether the game against Denmark creates the moment Jesus believes Portugal need him.
