Finland boss Jacob Friis left embarrassed after Ronaldo joke falls flat

Jacob Friis was left red-faced after a joke about Cristiano Ronaldo’s dispute with Portugal failed to draw a response at his press conference before Finland’s UEFA Nations League meeting with Albania.

According to French outlet RMC Sport, the Finland manager had been discussing the availability of his players when he attempted to make light of Ronaldo’s recent situation with Portugal.

“Yesterday, none of the players left on a private jet, so they are all available. I have plenty of options,” Friis said.

However, the remark was met with silence from the journalists in the room. Nobody laughed, turning what Friis had intended as a light-hearted moment into an awkward exchange.

The Danish coach returned to the subject at the end of the press conference, appearing frustrated that his joke had not received the reaction he expected.

“You didn’t understand the joke at first,” he told the journalists jokingly.

“Yes, I did,” one reporter replied.

“There was no reaction,” Friis added sarcastically, before laughing and referring to the nature of the Finnish character.

He then summed up the uncomfortable moment by saying: “You made me look like an idiot!”