Speaking at a press conference in Copenhagen ahead of Portugal’s meeting with Denmark, Jesus dismissed suggestions of a dispute between him and Ronaldo, saying the decision to leave the captain out of the first two matches had been discussed with him beforehand.
Jesus said he had agreed with Ronaldo that he would not feature against either Norway or Denmark because of his physical condition.
“It’s true that I discussed it with him. We created a plan, just as we did with Bruno Fernandes, and I told Cris that he would not play in the match against Norway or against Denmark,” Jesus said.
The coach explained that his previous experience working with Ronaldo, including during their time in Saudi Arabia, influenced the decision to manage the veteran forward’s workload.
He said Ronaldo had also made it clear that he would respect whatever decision the coach made regarding his involvement.
Jesus added that he considered bringing Ronaldo on during the match against Norway after the forward warmed up, but ultimately decided that the game did not require his introduction.
“I had agreed with him that he would not play the first two matches, but maybe I would even have needed him in the final minutes. The match told me otherwise, and I didn’t put him on,” he said.
Jesus strongly rejected reports that his decision had created a rift with Ronaldo, insisting that the same principles applied to all players regardless of their status.
“There is no problem here, man,” the coach said, adding that Ronaldo’s status did not give him different rights from other members of the squad.
He also pointed to his handling of Bruno Fernandes, saying he had similarly discussed the midfielder’s fitness and playing schedule with him after the Wales match.
Jesus was further asked about reports that Ronaldo had refused to train, but dismissed the claim.
“He did not refuse to train,” he said, explaining that Ronaldo had completed gym work, mobility exercises on the field and strength work at the hotel.
According to Jesus, Ronaldo was expected to return to full team training after the rest period.
The coach also explained why Ronaldo warmed up during the Norway match without eventually being introduced, saying he had considered using him but changed his decision based on how the game developed.
Jesus acknowledged that Ronaldo would naturally be unhappy after warming up for an extended period without entering the match.
“Any player, when we are warming up for 20 or 30 minutes and then doesn’t come on, is not happy about that. Nobody is. Much less Cristiano,” he said.
The Portugal coach also denied reports that he had promised Ronaldo a specific amount of playing time against Denmark, stressing that he remained responsible for making decisions based on what he believed was best for the team.
“No player will make me change my mind. Neither him nor anyone in football. Nor any president. Never, absolutely no one!” Jesus declared.
Jesus said Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença later spoke with him after reports about the situation emerged, but maintained that there was no unresolved dispute.
His comments came shortly before Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp in Copenhagen in a Portuguese Football Federation vehicle.
Ronaldo later indicated that he would explain the reasons for his departure “in due course.”
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