Portugal boss Jesus denies rift with Ronaldo, but says forward Ramos will start against Denmark

Cristiano Ronaldo is pursuing the milestone of 1,000 career goals and is currently on 979. | Photo Credit: AP

Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus said that there was no rift between him and Cristiano Ronaldo after the veteran striker was left on the bench during the country’s UEFA Nations League clash against Norway.

“There was no incident whatsoever,” Jesus told a press conference ahead of Portugal’s fixture against Denmark in Copenhagen on Thursday.

Jesus, however, noted that the 41-year-old Al Nassr player was frustrated to not be involved in the Norway game, which Portugal won 2-1.

“Any player -- and I was a player myself... when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don’t get on... no one is happy about that,” Jesus said on Wednesday.

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Jesus said that he had informed Ronaldo before the match that he would not start, but that he could possibly come on towards the end of the game. “Afterwards, as coach, I decided not to bring him on. It’s nothing to make a fuss about,” Jesus noted.

He also brushed off reports that Ronaldo had refused to train with the team, saying that he was doing individual training focused on strength and conditioning.

Meanwhile, Jesus further said that Goncalo Ramos, who started ahead of Ronaldo and scored the winner against Norway, would keep his place against Denmark.

“If everything goes according to plan, it will be Goncalo who plays,” he said, before adding, regarding Ronaldo, “If I need him, he’ll come on. If I don’t need him, he won’t.”