Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has dismissed reports that captain Cristiano Ronaldo refused to train ahead of the team’s UEFA Nations League clash against Denmark.
Ronaldo had attracted significant attention following Portugal’s victory over Norway after the 41-year-old forward appeared to head straight to the dressing room and did not interact with some of his teammates and supporters as usual.
The situation generated further speculation when Ronaldo was absent from Portugal’s training session on Tuesday. Reports subsequently claimed that the Al Nassr forward had refused to participate because of a disagreement with Jorge Jesus.
However, Jesus has rejected those reports, insisting that Ronaldo did not refuse to train and that his reduced training schedule was part of a deliberate coaching decision.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Denmark match, Jesus explained that Ronaldo completed gym work and mobility exercises before returning to the hotel for additional strengthening exercises.
“No, no. He didn’t refuse to train. He didn’t train. Félix didn’t train and Francisco Conceição didn’t train either because they were injured,” Jesus said, according to Al Nassr Tribune.
The Portugal manager added that João Félix was also rested because of fatigue accumulated from the previous two matches, while Ronaldo followed an individualized training programme.
“Cris did gym work, did some mobility exercises on the pitch and then went back to the hotel to do some strengthening work. That was it. He didn’t refuse to train. He is going to train today,” Jesus stated.
Jesus also pushed back against suggestions that there was a developing dispute between him and Portugal’s captain.
“I have had issues with players before, but don’t turn this into an issue that does not exist. This was a coaching decision. I had a plan, if you like,” he said.
The comments are likely to ease some of the speculation surrounding Ronaldo’s relationship with the Portugal coaching staff. Jesus has made it clear that Ronaldo’s modified training session was not connected to a disciplinary issue or disagreement with the manager.
Portugal will now turn its attention to Denmark, with Ronaldo’s fitness and involvement remaining a major talking point ahead of the UEFA Nations League encounter.
