Jorge Jesus declines to respond to Cristiano Ronaldo statement as Portugal row continues

Jorge Jesus has refused to comment on Cristiano Ronaldo’s statement explaining his departure from the Portugal squad, saying he would instead continue working and concentrating on the national team.

Jesus, Portugal’s manager, was asked about the issue by reporters on Wednesday, a day after Ronaldo published his official statement.

“Now, as I do every day, I will go to the federation to work and think about the national team. I will not answer anything,” Jesus said.

Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr, had been named in Jesus’ first squad for four Nations League matches. He started Portugal’s opening game against Wales but was left on the bench throughout their second fixture, against Norway.

Jesus said at the time that the circumstances of the match had prevented Ronaldo from taking part.

On Tuesday, before Ronaldo’s statement had been made public, Jesus was asked about it while sitting in his car. He replied: “I have not seen the statement yet. I was attending Portugal Under-21s’ match in Leiria, and I now have time to read it.”

Ronaldo leaves Portugal camp

Ronaldo and Jesus held an urgent meeting arranged by the president of the Portuguese Football Federation after the forward was not involved against Norway. The Portugal captain then left the national team’s training camp.

Rafael Leao wore the number seven shirt in Ronaldo’s absence for the following match against Denmark. Government interventions also took place, but the dispute remained unresolved.

Despite the events surrounding Ronaldo’s departure, Portugal completed the first four rounds with a perfect record and secured qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals before playing their remaining two matches.

Jesus has therefore declined to discuss Ronaldo’s statement publicly, limiting his response to a commitment to carry on with his work at the federation and focus on Portugal’s campaign.