Jorge Jesus: the conflict with Cristiano Ronaldo did not divide the Portuguese national team

The head coach of the Portuguese national team, Jorge Jesus, said that recent events related to the conflict with Cristiano Ronaldo have not divided the team. RIA Novosti reports this with reference to A Bola.

“What is happening has not divided the team. This has not separated us and will not separate us,” A Bola quotes Jesus as saying. He also noted that he does not regret his words that the status does not guarantee players a place in the national team. “Is my conscience clear? Absolutely. No one can deny that he is a symbol. He is a big figure, there is no doubt about it,” the coach added.

The conflict arose after 41-year-old Ronaldo remained on the bench in the second round match of the Nations League group stage against Norway (1:2). After the game, the football player refused to participate in training. The forward left the team's location in Denmark before the match with the Danes, flying on a private jet. Jesus and the head of the Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Proença, tried to dissuade him at the airport, but to no avail.

According to Portuguese media, Jesus wants to publicly apologize to Ronaldo so that he can return to the squad. The forward faces disqualification for a period of one to six months and a fine for unauthorized departure from the national team. On Thursday, Portugal beat Denmark 4-2 without Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo spent more than twenty years in the Portuguese national team. He is a team captain, a European champion and a two-time Nations League winner with the national team.