Leiria, a city often used by Portugal’s younger sides, became the setting for an awkward new chapter between Cristiano Ronaldo and national-team coach Jorge Jesus. Hours after the forward issued a lengthy statement accusing Jesus of breaking their agreement over his international appearances, the coach declined to discuss the dispute.
Quick facts
- Cristiano Ronaldo said an agreement concerning his Portugal involvement had not been honoured.
- Jorge Jesus was approached after Portugal Under-21s played in Leiria.
- The coach said he had not yet read Ronaldo’s Tuesday statement and had “nothing to say”.
- Ronaldo remains willing to play for Portugal when physically fit and active with Al-Nassr.
- Portugal’s next international window is scheduled for November.
Jesus had been watching Portugal Under-21s when he was stopped on his way out of the stadium. Asked whether he had seen Ronaldo’s comments, he replied that he had been in Leiria for the youth international and would read the statement later.
“I have nothing to say,” Jesus said before continuing towards his car.
A subsequent question put directly to the coach was whether he had failed to keep his word to Ronaldo. Jesus did not answer, got into his vehicle and left.
Ronaldo’s statement had centred on what he described as a breach of trust. The Al-Nassr forward said he and Jesus had reached an understanding over his participation in Portugal fixtures, only for that arrangement not to be respected.
The 40-year-old also objected to Jesus’s public handling of the matter. Ronaldo said the coach’s press-conference manner bore no resemblance to their private conversation the previous day.
“What was said in the press conference had nothing to do with our meeting,” Ronaldo wrote. “I heard language and aggression that I do not believe I deserved, with a ‘I want it, I can do it, I command’ attitude that was never shown to me privately, not even remotely, the day before.”
Despite the disagreement, Ronaldo has not closed the door on the national team. He said he intends to make himself available for future call-ups once he is in suitable physical condition and playing for Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo started in Jesus’s first match in charge of Portugal, but the next opportunity for a return to the squad is expected to come in the November international window.
