Ronaldo tension in Portugal: Remained on the bench, alleged to have left camp following Jorge Jesus' remarks

The claim that there is tension between Cristiano Ronaldo and head coach Jorge Jesus in the Portuguese National Team has dominated the football agenda. According to a report by the Spanish newspaper Marca, Ronaldo, who did not receive any playing time in Portugal's 2-1 victory over Norway in the UEFA Nations League, left the national team camp following the developments after the match.

The report stated that it is alleged the star footballer will travel to Madrid on his private jet. On the Portuguese side, the agenda has been Ronaldo remaining on the bench and the statements Jorge Jesus made after the match.

Ronaldo, who started the Norway match on the bench, was not brought into the game despite warming up in the second half. Jorge Jesus gave João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos the starting roles in the attacking line. Both players were instrumental in Portugal's victory with the goals they scored.

It was reported that Ronaldo, who spent the entire match on the bench, went directly to the locker room after the game and did not train with the other substitute players during the training session held the following day.

JESUS: NO PLAYER CAN CHANGE MY MIND

Jorge Jesus stated at the press conference that he had spoken with Ronaldo before the match and told the player he would not start in the first 11. The Portuguese coach expressed that he had told him he would bring Ronaldo into the game if he needed to.

I am the head coach. I told the player he would not play. I will put you on the bench. If I need you for 30 minutes, you play; if not, you don't. No player can change my mind. Neither him nor anyone else.

Responding to comments about a crisis within the team, the 72-year-old coach argued that the situation should not be blown out of proportion. While acknowledging that a footballer who warms up for a long time and does not enter the game will not be happy, Jesus said this is a normal situation.

There is no problem. I have had problems with many players, but don't make a drama out of this. If a player warms up for 20-30 minutes and doesn't enter the game, they won't be happy. Neither Cristiano, nor Maradona, nor Pele would be.

Jesus also emphasized at the press conference that the focus should be on the upcoming Denmark match, not Ronaldo. The experienced coach wanted to close the debate by saying, "I have 23 players. I came here to talk about the Denmark match, not Cristiano."

However, the claim that Ronaldo left the camp following these statements has further increased the discussions surrounding the Portuguese National Team. There was no official statement from the federation or the Ronaldo camp regarding the matter in the source text.

News Source: 12punto