Jorge Jesus responds after Ronaldo’s statement over Portugal exit

Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus had left the option for Ronaldo to return to the team in the future. | Photo Credit: Reuters

A day after Cristiano Ronaldo released an elaborate statement explaining his exit from the Portugal camp, head coach Jorge Jesus has given his verdict on the talisman’s reasoning.

Portuguese newspaper A Bola on Tuesday had revealed Ronaldo’s statement regarding his surprise exit from the team camp during the ongoing international break.

Ronaldo accused Jesus of failing to keep his word twice. The 39-year-old claimed that Jesus asked him to play for 30 minutes during the Nations League match against Denmark, only to later not call him on from the bench.

Read Cristiano Ronaldo’s full statement here

He added that Jesus had agreed to apologize in a press conference for this, but later went against his word.

Ronaldo mentioned that though he left the national camp, he is open to selection in the next international break, if needed.

On Wednesday, Jesus was approached by reporters outside his house as he was leaving for the national team headquarters. When asked about Ronaldo statement, Jesus responded: “I read the statement and now, like I do every day, I’m going to the Federation headquarters to work, to think about the Portuguese national team. I have nothing more to say”.