Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has confirmed Cristiano Ronaldo will start on the bench against Denmark in Thursday’s UEFA Nations League clash.
Jesus announced this at his pre-match press conference while insisting there is no rift between him and Portugal captain Ronaldo.
Ronaldo was an unused substitute in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway and played 67 minutes in the 1-0 victory over Wales. He has since trained separately from the squad, fuelling speculation about tension between the two. Portugal Football Federation president Pedro Proença has also met with Jesus and Ronaldo amid reports of a disagreement.
However, Jesus dismissed suggestions of a feud, saying his decision to leave Ronaldo on the bench was purely a coaching choice. He indicated that Gonçalo Ramos would start against Denmark if everything goes according to plan. Jesus previously worked with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, where they won the Saudi Pro League title.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the game [against Denmark]. If we need him [Ronaldo] to play [at some point], he’ll play. If not, he won’t. I can promise whatever I want, I’m the coach. No player will ever make a decision for me.”
“We had to talk the three of us, but I had already talked with Cris and the president didn’t have to solve anything because there was nothing to solve” Jesus said.
