Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus admitted in Denmark that he made a mistake by making forward Cristiano Ronaldo warm up for too long in Norway.
The admission follows a written statement released by Ronaldo on Tuesday, October 6, revealing an eight-point document drawn up before the striker departed the national team squad.
Ronaldo revealed that the small document was produced and validated by himself before being handed to the Portugal manager as requested. The agreement was prepared following a meeting between Jesus and Ronaldo on the eve of the Nations League match against Denmark, with Al Nassr sports director Simao Coutinho attending the session.
A subsequent videoconference was conducted at the request of the coach between Jesus, Coutinho, and Tiago Craveiro. The resulting summary document was created to serve as an introduction to Jesus's pre-match press conference in Denmark.
Documented Agreement Between Coach and Captain
Under the terms validated by Ronaldo, the document revealed that the tactical usage plan was originally proposed by Jesus and accepted by the captain. The text explicitly noted that the forward did not question the manager's tactical decisions.
The sixth item in the document specifically stated that the head coach made an error by placing a player of the stature of Pele or Maradona through a warm-up routine without sending him onto the pitch, adding that if it were today he would not repeat the action.
In the press room in Denmark, Jesus addressed the incident directly and acknowledged his error. He stated that any player who warms up for 20 to 30 minutes without entering the match would be unhappy, comparing Ronaldo's elite standing to former international icons Pele and Maradona.
Press Conference Statements and Disagreements
Jesus explained that his overall usage plan involved resting the captain for the away fixtures against Norway and Denmark. However, the manager thought Ronaldo might be useful for brief periods during the game, noting that the forward did not refuse any role.
Jesus added that match conditions ultimately dictated that Ronaldo remained on the bench, emphasizing that as national team head coach, no one would change his tactical principles. He initially intended to answer only two questions regarding the situation before allowing a few more, while denying that any conflict existed with the captain.
Ronaldo strongly rejected the manager's public portrayal of their agreement. The forward accused Jesus of breaking his word and stated that the coach's posture at the press conference bore no resemblance to their private conversation.
Ronaldo revealed that he heard aggressive expressions he did not deserve during the conference. He added that Jesus demonstrated an attitude of absolute authority that the manager had never previously displayed toward him.
Walkout Following Match in Norway
The controversy stems from Portugal's recent UEFA Nations League fixtures in Group A4. Portugal began their campaign on September 24 with a 1-0 home victory over Wales, where Ronaldo was named in the starting lineup.
Three days later, on September 27, Portugal achieved a 2-1 away victory against Norway. Ronaldo was an unused substitute in the match and spent 20 to 30 minutes warming up on the sideline before leaving the pitch dissatisfied without joining his teammates to thank the Portuguese supporters.
The document released by Ronaldo explained that his departure without greeting the fans was a brief moment of frustration that did not diminish his dedication to the team. The text also affirmed that Jesus still desired Ronaldo's presence in the national squad.
Following the match in Norway, Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proenca traveled to the Danish capital of Copenhagen. On Wednesday, September 30, Ronaldo left the national team training camp following Jesus's pre-match press conference.
Cristiano Ronaldo International Record
Ronaldo, 41, plays his club football for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr and is the all-time record holder for international appearances and goals, having earned 234 caps and scored 146 goals for Portugal.
The forward captained Portugal to victory at the 2016 European Championship in France, as well as UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
