Ronaldo and Portugal Coach Crisis.. Jesus After the Norway Match: "What Should I Apologize For?"

Portugal national team coach Jorge Jesus denied that he had apologized to star Cristiano Ronaldo for not including him in the match against Norway, describing reports about it as "false." However, he confirmed that the door remains open for Ronaldo to join the national team during the upcoming international break. During a press conference following a match in which Portugal won against Norway with a score of two to one, Jesus faced media pressure to discuss his issue with Ronaldo. The Portuguese coach said about Cristiano: "If he is playing with his club, he will be eligible for selection if he wants to return to represent the national team."

The Portugal national team coach continued, speaking about his relationship with Ronaldo, whom he coached at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia: "In my opinion, you cannot blame someone in a friendship that has lasted a whole year because of a situation that is difficult to understand." Jesus added about the situation that angered Ronaldo when he warmed up in the first match against Norway without being given the chance to play: "Just because it is him, and perhaps that was the right thing, given that he is a symbol - all this issue arose regarding warming up or not, and participation in the game or not."

He added: "How many players warmed up today and did not participate in the match? No, then the matter stirred all this fuss because (Ronaldo) is a symbol, isn't he?"

The Portuguese coach continued in response to another question about his issue with Cristiano: "I am the coach; I call whoever I want... and I do not ask anyone whom I want to call or ask anyone who will play, and for me as a coach, there are some principles that are non-negotiable," emphasizing the importance of the coach's authority and independence in the decision to call up or include any player.

Jesus added: "Before the last call-up, I told him (Ronaldo) that I want him by my side whether he plays or does not play, and now I say the same to him." The Portuguese coach denied that he had apologized to Ronaldo for not including him in the match against Norway and described media reports about it as "false," questioning: "What was the matter that deserved an apology?"

A crisis erupted between Ronaldo and his coach after the match between Portugal and Norway when Cristiano warmed up but did not participate in that encounter. The crisis reached its peak when Ronaldo decided to leave the national team's camp after the press conference held by Jesus before the Portuguese national team's match against Denmark, in which he defended his decision not to bring Ronaldo onto the field, confirming that he "acts according to the circumstances of the match."

After Ronaldo left the Portugal camp, he sent a message to the fans via his social media page, confirming his departure from the national team's camp after the coach's press conference and indicating that he would reveal "the whole truth" at the appropriate time.