Jorge Jesus focuses on Portugal after Cristiano Ronaldo leaves camp
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has declined to escalate his row with Cristiano Ronaldo, saying on Wednesday that his focus remains on the national team after the captain left camp.
What we know
- Jesus said he had seen Ronaldo’s statement before heading to the Portuguese Football Federation headquarters to concentrate on the squad and his work.
- Ronaldo departed the Portugal camp during the current international window and accepted that the decision was serious enough to warrant a substantial sanction.
- The five-time Ballon d’Or winner accused Jesus of failing to honour two commitments.
- Ronaldo said he expected to play roughly 30 minutes against Norway, but was left on the bench despite warming up.
- He also claimed Jesus disregarded an agreed media plan before Portugal’s match against Denmark. Ronaldo said the document had been requested and approved by the coach.
- Al-Nassr sporting director Simao Coutinho and Tiago Craveiro, an adviser within Ronaldo’s personal-brand team, were involved in discussions over the planned press-conference approach.
Portugal must decide on discipline
The federation now faces a disciplinary call as preparations continue at its headquarters. Ronaldo has said his departure should count as an aggravating factor in any case against him, with a suspension of up to six months a possible outcome.
Jesus has not addressed the specific allegations. His immediate priority is preparing Portugal for their remaining international commitments while the dispute over Ronaldo’s exit remains unresolved.
