UNL: Jorge Jesus clarifies Ronaldo’s alleged refusal to train
Portugal Coach Addresses Ronaldo’s Training Situation Ahead of UEFA Match
Portugal’s national team coach, Jorge Jesus, discussed his relationship with team captain Cristiano Ronaldo amid reports of the player’s absence from a recent training session. The situation arose following Portugal’s victory over Norway, where Ronaldo did not participate and reportedly left the field quickly, drawing criticism for his behavior.
Concerns surrounding Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction heightened when he did not attend the Portuguese training session on Tuesday, just days before the team’s UEFA Nations League matchup against Denmark. Speculation increased when some media outlets suggested that Ronaldo’s absence stemmed from a disagreement with Coach Jesus.
In a press conference held before the match against Denmark, Jorge Jesus addressed these rumors directly. He clarified that Ronaldo did not refuse to train but was following a prescribed plan to manage his workload. “Cris did gym work, did some mobility exercises on the pitch and then went back to the hotel to do some strengthening work. That was it. He didn’t refuse to train. He is going to train today,” Jesus explained.
The coach also mentioned that other players, including Félix and Francisco Conceição, were absent due to injuries and fatigue management, emphasizing that Ronaldo’s situation was not unique. “I have had issues with players before, but don’t turn this into an issue that does not exist. This was a coaching decision. I had a plan, if you like,” he added.
The statements from Jesus aim to quell concerns over team dynamics as Portugal prepares for its upcoming match against Denmark.
