Jorge Jesus says Cristiano Ronaldo will not dictate his tactical choices, insisting he alone has the final say as Portugal prepare to face Denmark in the Nations League.
Portugal play Denmark at Parken in Copenhagen on Thursday in the third round of the competition, with Jesus addressing the issue during his pre-match news conference.
Jesus said he had already told Ronaldo that he would not start either the matches against Norway or Denmark, explaining that he was managing the 41-year-old’s fitness rather than responding to pressure from the forward.
“I told him that he would not start the matches against Norway and Denmark,” Jesus said. “I worked with Cris for a year, so I know exactly what his physical condition is. I used to do the same thing in Saudi Arabia when we played every three days.
“I told him he would be involved whenever and wherever he was needed. That is what happened.”
The Portugal manager was asked why Ronaldo had not been introduced against Norway, despite reports that he had made a verbal promise to use him.
Jesus said the needs of the team took priority and that the match against Erling Haaland and his Norway team-mates had not presented an opportunity to bring on the striker.
“I can promise whatever I want. I am the coach,” he said. “I told the player he would not start the match and would be on the bench. If I needed him for 30 minutes, he would play. If I did not need him, he would not play.
“No player will change my thoughts – not him, nor anyone else in football. Not even a president. That will never happen.”
Jesus, the former Sporting Lisbon and Benfica manager, said Ronaldo’s status did not exempt him from the same rules as the rest of the squad.
“Status is one thing, but the rules are the same for everyone,” he added. “His status comes from his past and his career, and that must be taken into account. But I always make decisions according to the team’s objective.
“I am the one who decides. Anyone who has worked with me knows that. At a club, the president is the one in charge. In the team, I am the one in charge.”
Asked whether Ronaldo would replace Portugal’s starting striker Goncalo Ramos against Denmark, Jesus replied: “I don’t know. It depends on the match.”
The comments followed reports of Ronaldo’s frustration after he was left out of Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway on Sunday in the second round of the Nations League.
Ronaldo did not play, including as a substitute, and did not train with his team-mates on Monday or Tuesday. Jesus had said before the match that he planned to use him, although he was unlikely to select him in the starting line-up.
After the final whistle in Oslo, Ronaldo went directly from the substitutes’ bench to the tunnel and did not join his Portugal team-mates in applauding the visiting supporters.
