UNL: Ronaldo may no longer start every Portugal match – Jesus
Portugal’s Coach Scales Back Ronaldo’s Playing Time
OSLO, Norway — Portugal’s head coach Jorge Jesus indicated that star forward Cristiano Ronaldo may not participate in every match as he has in the past. Jesus noted that Ronaldo’s physical condition will play a crucial role in determining whether he will start against Norway.
Speaking to the Portuguese newspaper Ojogo, Jesus emphasized that Ronaldo’s dedication and performance during training sessions will also impact his selection for the upcoming match. “I have already discussed this with him,” Jesus said. “He played 65 minutes, and I will assess his condition to determine if he starts or comes off the bench. Regardless of our preferences, Cris is not Joao Neves, who is 20 years old and capable of playing consecutive matches every three days. We must consider all factors, but he is among the players whose training performance will provide valuable insight.”
Ronaldo started in Portugal’s recent 1-0 victory over Wales in the opening match of Group Four in the UEFA Nations League A. However, he had a relatively quiet performance, having a goal disallowed for offside. Jesus substituted Ronaldo for Goncalo Ramos in the 67th minute, a decision he explained in a post-match interview.
The upcoming match against Norway is particularly significant, as Norway has recently secured victories against Denmark and Brazil. The game is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo.
