Jorge Jesus says Ronaldo controversy will not divide Portugal squad

Jorge Jesus said the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo had not weakened Portugal’s unity after his side beat Denmark 4-2 in the Nations League on Thursday.

The victory at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen satisfied the Portugal manager, who said his team had continued to improve during his first three matches in charge.

“What pleased me most was the win, of course,” Jesus told Portuguese newspaper A Bola. “This is our third match and I feel the team is getting better from one game to the next. We develop through the analysis we do after matches, and in the next game the team usually performs better, both defensively and offensively.”

Jesus praised Portugal’s performance against a Denmark side he described as technically strong and difficult to contain.

“Winning 4-2 here is not easy,” he said. “Denmark are a big team, difficult to stop, with great technical quality and very strong at set-pieces. Once again, we were good defensively in that area.”

The manager was also pleased with the way his players dealt with Denmark’s high press, highlighting their commitment to defending aggressively.

“I liked the pressing a lot, and the way the team believes in defensive pressure,” he added. “Playing like that is very complicated.”

Asked whether he felt the squad was following his leadership, Jesus rejected the idea that the players were under his control. Instead, he said they had accepted his approach and trusted his ideas.

“I do not have a group in my grip. I have a group that believes in the coach’s idea,” he said. “They believe in my ideas and, because they have great individual quality, things become easier.”

He then added: “If that means I have a group in my grip, then yes, I do, because they are moving forward hand in hand with me and my ideas.”

Ronaldo controversy

Questions about Ronaldo followed the forward’s departure from the Portugal camp before the Denmark match. The Al Nassr player left angrily after not featuring against Norway.

Jesus said he would deal with the matter after Portugal’s next game, insisting that his immediate priority remained the team’s football.

“After the next match, we will see what happens,” he said. “Until then, I have to remain focused on the next game, just as I was focused on today’s match.”

When asked whether the developments made it difficult to concentrate, Jesus said they had not affected him.

“It is not difficult for me to concentrate,” he said. “Do you know what is difficult for me? Not understanding what is happening inside. Not knowing how to coach my players. That is what is difficult for me. The rest… zero.”

Jesus concluded by stressing that the events surrounding Ronaldo had not damaged Portugal’s cohesion.

“What matters is what we have to do,” he said. “The things that happen do not divide the group. They have not divided us and they will not divide us.”