Cristiano Ronaldo pal on Jorge Jesus: said one thing, did another | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo was furious with Jorge Jesus after a private conversation in which, according to Edu Aguirre, the Portuguese national team coach admitted he had made a mistake in the way he handled the forward against Norway. The Spanish journalist, who is a close friend of the Portuguese captain, revealed that the former Benfica manager apologized for having the forward warm up for around 30 minutes without sending him onto the pitch and reportedly assured him that he would publicly acknowledge that mistake.

According to the account, the meeting took place on Tuesday night and was also attended by Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation. The journalist explained that Jesus allegedly admitted he had not handled the situation well and promised to repeat the apology in front of reporters. "There was a meeting. A meeting between the Federation president, the coach and Cristiano. Jorge Jesus apologizes to Cristiano for making him warm up for 30 minutes and not bringing him on to play," he said.

The problem, according to Aguirre’s version of events, arose the following day, when Jorge Jesus spoke publicly about how players are used and reportedly did not repeat the apology that, in private, he had promised to make. "Jorge Jesus, in private, says he didn’t handle it well and that he is going to apologize at the press conference. And then, a few hours later, he goes to the press and says that he is the one in charge and that Cristiano is just one more player," the journalist said, before concluding: "That’s why I say: betrayal."

Publicly, Jorge Jesus gave a different version and dismissed the idea that there was any conflict, stressing that he is the one who makes the decisions regarding the team. "A player’s status does not give them special rights. Status means respect for their career, as I do with everyone, with Cris, with others I have had in my career. I always raise the question of what I want to do, the plan I want to set out with the player, and then I am the one who decides. If I need you for 30 minutes, you will play; if not, you will not play. No player will ever change my ideas. Not him, not anyone in football. Not any president either. Never, zero!"

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.