Piers Morgan confirmed that veteran coach Jorge Jesus showed a “shocking lack of respect” towards Cristiano Ronaldo.
The relationship between Ronaldo and the Portuguese national team camp reached its lowest levels following a public quarrel between coach Jesus and Piers Morgan, a close supporter of Ronaldo.
Morgan made a direct comparison between Jesus and the Dutchman Eric Ten Hag, the former coach of Manchester United, noting that the coach puts his personal reputation above the status of the legendary striker.
The journalist expressed his anger after Jesus belittled Ronaldo, as Morgan, who conducted the famous and controversial interview that led to Ronaldo's departure from Old Trafford, did not hesitate to criticize the current Portuguese coach's leadership style.
Piers Morgan said: “One time, Ancelotti brought Modric into the game without warming up, and he said: ‘There is no need for a player of this level to warm up’. It is not about money or fame or anything like that.”
He added: "Ronaldo received absolute guarantees about how he would be included in the game, and that was one of the reasons that prompted him to continue his international career. Jorge Jesus, whom he knows well from his period of work in Saudi Arabia, spoke with him and they reached an agreement requiring his participation in the two matches."
He continued: "The coach told him that he would play the full first match (90 minutes). This is a direct promise from the coach to the player, and it is important to remember the status and value of the player we are talking about. However, he was substituted in the 67th minute, which displeased him. After that, the coach apologized to him and the president, and said that he would explain that what happened should not have happened."
Morgan revealed the details of what happened after the first match and said: “But he did the exact opposite. He behaved in a manner similar to what Ten Hag did. He tried to belittle Ronaldo and embarrass him, and put him on the same level as the rest of the players, stressing that all players are important, which also angered Ronaldo. Then he went to him and said: ‘I know that we agreed that you will rest in the second and third matches, but I want you to play for 30 minutes against Norway.’”
Ronaldo replied to him: “If this is what you want, that’s okay, I will do it. Indeed, Ronaldo warmed up for 25 minutes, but he never participated in the match.”
Regarding Ronaldo’s position, Morgan said: “He felt upset because of the lack of respect, as the coach broke his promises. Portugal won the UEFA Nations League last year, and who scored in the final? Ronaldo. Don't tell me they're better off without him."
He continued: “For him, it's about respect: they promise him something and then they do the opposite, and they make him warm up without him participating at the end. In the end, he told them 'go to hell' and left."
He continued his attack on Jesus, saying: “The coach kept appearing in press conferences to say the exact opposite of what was agreed upon in private sessions. Ronaldo is not demanding to be a permanent starter or to play 90 minutes in every match, but rather it is about fulfilling the promises made.”
He continued: “The problem is when the coach wants to prove his authority at Ronaldo’s expense. Instead, he should have felt grateful for the presence of the greatest player in the history of Portugal within the ranks of his team. Ronaldo's influence goes beyond the borders of the green rectangle, and let's look at the case of Messi, who will have a farewell with the Argentine national team this week in a festive atmosphere.
Piers Morgan concluded: “It is painful to see the possibility that Cristiano Ronaldo will not receive a proper farewell in Portugal, simply because the mastermind decided to create a clash with him.”
