Portugal manager Jorge Jesus has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s lengthy statement over their recent dispute, saying he had not yet read the Portugal captain’s account because he was watching the national Under-21 team.
“I didn’t read Cristiano’s statement, I was watching Portugal U21 game,” Jesus told reporters on Tuesday night. “I will now have time to read it.”
Jesus was speaking shortly after Ronaldo publicly explained why he left Portugal’s training camp before the team’s UEFA Nations League match against Denmark.
Ronaldo accused Jesus of breaking his word
In his statement, Ronaldo accused Jesus of breaking agreements on two occasions.
The 41-year-old said Jesus initially agreed to manage his playing time during the international window, before later telling him he could play around 30 minutes against Norway.
Ronaldo said he accepted the change but was left on the bench despite warming up extensively during the match.
He also claimed that a subsequent agreement was reached over how Jesus would explain the situation publicly, but said the coach's later comments did not reflect what had been discussed.
Ronaldo apologised for leaving the camp and accepted that the Portuguese Football Federation could punish him. At the same time, he made clear that he remains available for Portugal if he is fit and performing well for Al Nassr.
Jesus yet to respond to Ronaldo's claims
Jesus' latest comments do not directly address Ronaldo's accusations.
The Portugal manager previously described the situation differently and has maintained that his decisions were based on what he believed was best for the national team.
His immediate response after being asked about Ronaldo's statement was simply that he had not yet read it. According to reports, Jesus had been in Leiria watching Portugal's Under-21 side beat the Czech Republic 2-0 before returning home.
The comments mean further attention will now be focused on what Jesus says after reading Ronaldo's full account.
The dispute has developed despite Portugal's strong start under Jesus. The team has remained unbeaten in the Nations League and has already secured a place in the quarter-finals.
For now, Ronaldo has publicly given his version of the events, while Jesus has yet to offer a detailed response.
