Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca dey prepare to hold emergency meeting with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus and captain Cristiano Ronaldo, aiming to resolve the crisis around Ronaldo.
Ronaldo spend the whole last match against Norway on substitutes bench. Na second-round UEFA Nations League tie wey Portugal win 2-1. The star been furious.
The Portuguese star skip him national team training session on Tuesday. He return to team hotel to work out for gym instead.
Just a week ago, the Al-Nassr forward pledge to put himself at Portugal service. He talk say he dey here to help, whether he play or not. He talk say he just one among many. E don always be like that and e go remain so. He talk say he go do whatever coach ask of am: play, come off, or even not play. The honour of representing Portugal dey above anything else.
Six days later, those strong words don evaporate. Ronaldo face wave of criticism over him lack of attacking threat in the 1-0 win against Wales. Once the number 7 don collect heavy yabbis, he go through something he never experience in 18 years. Against Norway, Jorge Jesus keep am on bench for whole match. The decision leave Ronaldo grim-faced in front of cameras.
Afterwards, him coach admit say he tell him star he go come on as substitute, then he go back on him word. Jorge Jesus talk after match say he no realise say Ronaldo upset. He talk say only Ronaldo can answer that. He talk say not playing am no mean say he no rely on am. Before match, he tell am say he no go start am, but he go bring am on as substitute. This na football: e impose him own rules, and for this particular case, no justification to change striker, because dem get match in Denmark and he may be first choice for am.
As Portugal settle into their base for Swedish city of Malmo, right on border with Copenhagen, Ronaldo grab attention of Portuguese press. He show up for pitch at Eleda Stadium half an hour before training, exchange brief word with Jorge Jesus, then head back to hotel. Portuguese Federation give official explanation: Malmo FC no get equipment Ronaldo need for him individual training. Jorge Jesus touch only briefly on that conversation after training. He talk say he dey talk to Cristiano Ronaldo every day, every minute. The coach deny any dispute with him player.
Even so, Portuguese press report on Tuesday evening say federation president Pedro Proenca urgently tear up him schedule. Proenca been due in Azores on Wednesday to watch under-21s face Gibraltar, a win wey go seal the young Portuguese side qualification for European Under-21 Championship. From there he suppose travel to Denmark on Thursday, the day the senior side clash with Scandinavians. Instead, Proenca skip Azores altogether and head straight for Copenhagen to hold emergency meeting with Jorge Jesus and Ronaldo in Malmo, according to French outlet Foot Mercato. Add GOAL.
Portugal win over Norway in Oslo produce unusual sight for national team: Cristiano Ronaldo never leave bench. Jorge Jesus explain the decision after game, say the match call for different qualities and point out say Ronaldo be 41, not 20, even though captain fit and ready to play. Jorge Jesus talk say no be to protect am physically. But as Portugal prepare for second match against Denmark in Copenhagen, questions around Ronaldo and national team never completely go away.
Portuguese outlets A Bola and O Jogo report say Ronaldo no train with him teammates at Malmo FF Eleda Stadion. Instead, the Al Nassr striker return to team hotel to complete individual workout for gym. The issue reportedly be logistical rather than medical: the stadium no get equipment Ronaldo need for him customized training program. Portugal soccer federation explain the situation, according to both outlets, and Ronaldo able complete him planned session back for hotel. No report of injury or other physical problem.
A Bola also report say Pedro Proenca, president of Portuguese Football Federation, travel to Copenhagen both to watch Portugal game against Denmark and to help address the situation around Ronaldo and national team. Portuguese broadcaster SIC, through reporter Nuno Luz, provide further details about Ronaldo current relationship with national team. According to Luz, Ronaldo had considered stepping away from international soccer after 2026 World Cup. A meeting involving Ronaldo, Jorge Jesus and Proenca ultimately lead to decision for am to remain with Portugal.
The agreement for first international window of new season reportedly be say Ronaldo go play in first and final matches. Jorge Jesus confirm after win over Norway say plan be for Ronaldo to play 30 minutes. According to SIC Nuno Luz, Ronaldo view the situation as unnecessary and find himself in awkward position after warming up but never enter game. Despite the frustration, the Portugal captain no publicly criticize the decision. Instead, Ronaldo post photo of himself on social media with Portuguese flag and heart.
The head of Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Proenca, don arrive Copenhagen to resolve the conflict between Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus. According to A Bola, Jorge Jesus initially no plan to start the 41-year-old Ronaldo in away Nations League match against Norway. The coach intend to give the forward around 30 minutes in second half, but Ronaldo remain on bench. Na first time in 18 years he no appear in official match. After final whistle, Ronaldo go dressing room without thanking fans. On September 29, he train individually for gym. On October 1, Portugal go face Denmark in Nations League. After two rounds, Portugal lead Group A4 with six points, three points ahead of Denmark and Norway.
