Rome, Oct. 5 (LaPresse) – After Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway on Sunday at the Estádio do Dragão, Jorge Jesus sought to ease the tension surrounding the crisis with Cristiano Ronaldo. The coach opened the door to the captain’s return, described the incident as a misunderstanding and said the standoff could be easily resolved. Jesus added that he did not know when the matter would be resolved because the decision also depends on the striker. The coach nevertheless made it clear that he had no intention of ruling out the possibility of calling up the top scorer in the history of the Portuguese national team. “I don’t know what will happen. As far as I’m concerned, everything is open. He has to decide his future before the call-up. If he plays and wants to be part of the national team, he can come back whenever he wants, why not? It was a misunderstanding and, in my opinion, it is easy to resolve. As far as I’m concerned, everything is fine. When will it be resolved? I don’t know, we’ll see, the game has just ended,” Jorge Jesus said, reiterating that he will not apologize to Cristiano Ronaldo for making him warm up instead of playing him in the first match against Norway. According to the coach, it is common in football for substitute players, ready to come on, to remain on the bench. Jesus acknowledged that the incident took on greater significance because it involved Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he once again described as a symbol of Portugal, but reiterated that there was no lack of respect. The coach also denied that there had previously been an agreement to offer an apology as a condition for reconciliation. In his view, there is no reason for such a gesture, since the decision to use or not use a player falls within his responsibilities. The Portuguese Football Federation is working to arrange a meeting between the two. Jorge Jesus has already expressed his willingness to attend, while CR7’s response is still awaited.
Portugal, Jorge Jesus: “CR7 can return to the national team whenever he wants”
Rome, Oct. 5 (LaPresse) – After Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway on Sunday at the Estádio do Dragão, Jorge Jesus sought to ease the tension surrounding the crisis with Cristiano Ronaldo. The coach opened the door to the captain’s return, described the incident as a misunderstanding and said the standoff could be easily resolved. Jesus added that he did not know when the matter would be resolved because the decision also depends on the striker. The coach nevertheless made it clear that he had no intention of ruling out the possibility of calling up the top scorer in the history of the Portuguese national team. “I don’t know what will happen. As far as I’m concerned, everything is open. He has to decide his future before the call-up. If he plays and wants to be part of the national team, he can come back whenever he wants, why not? It was a misunderstanding and, in my opinion, it is easy to resolve. As far as I’m concerned, everything is fine. When will it be resolved? I don’t know, we’ll see, the game has just ended,” Jorge Jesus said, reiterating that he will not apologize to Cristiano Ronaldo for making him warm up instead of playing him in the first match against Norway. According to the coach, it is common in football for substitute players, ready to come on, to remain on the bench. Jesus acknowledged that the incident took on greater significance because it involved Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he once again described as a symbol of Portugal, but reiterated that there was no lack of respect. The coach also denied that there had previously been an agreement to offer an apology as a condition for reconciliation. In his view, there is no reason for such a gesture, since the decision to use or not use a player falls within his responsibilities. The Portuguese Football Federation is working to arrange a meeting between the two. Jorge Jesus has already expressed his willingness to attend, while CR7’s response is still awaited.