Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be on the pitch for Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Denmark on Thursday, a move that’s stirring up way more drama than his manager wants us to believe. Portugal boss Jorge Jesus is out here denying any tension with the legendary striker, even after reports dropped that Ronaldo was definitely not happy about being benched and missing training.
Manager Says “No Fuss,” But The Receipts Are Talking
Jesus went on record, denying rumors of a difficult relationship with CR7. He claims it was totally planned for Ronaldo to skip the last two days of training, saying the guy “never trains on the first or second day after a game.” The manager even tried to shut down talk about Ronaldo going into the tunnel right after their 2-1 win against Norway on Sunday without celebrating with his teammates, and reports of “emergency crisis meetings” in Denmark involving Ronaldo, Jesus, and Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca. Jesus basically said, “They forced me to talk to him about an issue that wasn’t even an issue. There was nothing to talk about.” He insisted, “Nobody refuses to train,” and even added, “If you look, he’s training today.” He wants us to believe it’s all just a “coach’s decision,” with him firmly stating no player, not even Cristiano, will “change my ideas as the coach.”
Wait, What About The Three Days He Missed?
Here’s where things get wild. Despite Jesus’s claims that Ronaldo was training “today,” multiple reports say CR7 did *not* take part in training after that press conference! He reportedly left the stadium, missing his third straight day of training with the squad. So, the manager says “nothing to see here,” but the facts on the ground tell a different story about those training sessions. Ronaldo was reportedly unhappy after not playing on Sunday against Norway, and his actions after that game certainly raised some eyebrows, walking off the pitch immediately after the final whistle. It makes you wonder what’s really going on behind the scenes when the coach’s version of events just doesn’t match what’s being reported.
A Legacy On The Line?
This whole situation comes after Ronaldo’s spot under Jesus has already seen some changes. Jesus, who also coached Ronaldo last season in Saudi Arabia, took over as Portugal’s manager after the 2026 World Cup this summer. Ronaldo was in Jesus’s first squad and started against Wales on September 24, but he got subbed off in the 65th minute for Goncalo Ramos. Then came the Norway game, where he didn’t play at all. Earlier this summer, Ronaldo himself talked about his future, saying, “This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy.” With Denmark up next on Thursday without him, and a return to the field against Norway planned for Sunday, you gotta ask, what kind of legacy is unfolding right now?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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