Portugal ended this frenetic four-game selection window with a clean sweep of victories. After a disappointing World Cup, the Portuguese team is looking to show a new face and it all started with qualifying for the quarterfinals of the Nations League, something it has already achieved with two games still to be played in the next break in November. His face has changed so much that now Cristiano Ronaldo does not play for the Seleçao after the clash with coach Jorge Jesus. After leaving his national team's concentration after the second match, Cristiano made it clear that "in due time" he will tell the truth. Jorge Jesus, for his part, said that when Portugal finished its four games he would talk about Ronaldo. And this Sunday, after defeating Norway at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto, the coach kept his word.
"I don't know what's going to happen, for me everything is open. He has to decide his life before the call-up. If he's playing and wants to be in the national team, he can come back whenever he wants, why not?" Jorge Jesus began by saying, who immediately explained again that everything that happened with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner "was a misunderstanding." "In my opinion, it's easy to resolve. As far as I'm concerned, everything is fine. When will it be resolved? I don't know, we'll see, this match has just ended...", the coach resolved.
The questions in the press room went in the same direction: Cristiano. And the Portuguese coach did not hold anything back. "How many players warmed up today and did not enter? Will there be a problem? No. With Cris it is different, it is a symbol. But is it a problem? For me it was not a problem. There is no problem. If Cris wants and plays for Al-Nassr, he will be in the next call. We talked before this call and we can talk before the next one. Cris is the one who decides," he repeated, and then again stressed that for his part there is no problem in him wearing the shirt again. Portugal. "I want him to stay. In the first call I told him: 'I need you. Whether you play or don't play, I need you'. And now it's the same," Jorge Jesus settled the issue.
Although before leaving the press room, he was asked if he should apologize. And that's when he went on the defensive. "I don't apologize to anyone. The problem that caused all this was that the player was warming up. I blame the decision and what happened. But apologize for what? To whom? That's a lie. Apologize for what? What was the reason for apologizing?
His compatriot and Barcelona player, Joao Cancelo, who is having a good start to the year with the Barça team and who has scored in the last two games with the Seleçao, assured that this whole situation between the captain and the coach will end well. “Cristiano is our captain, the symbol of the national team, the best player Portugal has ever had, and without a doubt things will end in the best possible way. The important thing is these four victories; We all did a great job, including Ronaldo, and now it's time to enjoy them. Only Proença, Jesus and Ronaldo will know what will happen. Obviously, we talked to Ronaldo this week, but I'm not going to reveal what we talked about,” Cancelo said.
On the other hand, PSG footballer Nuno Mendes threw balls out and focused on the team. “Any player who comes to the national team is welcome, we are happy with the results we have obtained. If Cris returns, we will welcome him and other players who may be called up with open arms. “I focus on my job, which is playing football, helping the national team and giving 100% in every game,” the Portuguese full-back simply said.
With qualification in the pocket for the quarterfinals of the Nations League, Portugal will play with more calm and less urgency for results in the last two games. They will first host Denmark on November 14 and three days later they will travel to Wales to conclude the group stage. Jorge Jesus assures that he will call up Cristiano and now the ball is in the court of the Portuguese star, who has just one month to decide if he wants to wear the Seleçao shirt again and, if he accepts, weigh whether he wants to tell his version of this story that has caused an earthquake in Portugal.
