Why Ronaldo warm-up row escalated – Jorge Jesus
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlinePortugal coach Jorge Jesus has said Cristiano Ronaldo’s status as a national icon was responsible for the controversy that followed the forward’s prolonged warm-up without being brought on against Norway.
Jesus made the remarks on Monday while discussing the incident that has attracted attention since Portugal’s Nations League match on Sunday.
According to Fabrizio Romano’s post on X on Monday, Jesus said the episode should not affect his relationship with Ronaldo, whom he previously coached at Al-Nassr.
Jesus said: “In my opinion, you can’t hold a one-year friendship against someone over a situation that is difficult to understand.”
He explained that the incident became a bigger issue because of Ronaldo’s importance to the national team.
The coach added: “Just because it was him. Just because it was him, and perhaps rightly so, because he is a symbol, this whole issue of warming up and not warming up, coming on and not coming on, has been created.”
Jesus also questioned why similar situations involving other players do not attract the same level of scrutiny.
He said: “How many players warmed up today and didn’t come on? How many? Is there going to be a problem with any of them? No.”
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The comments followed Ronaldo’s departure from Portugal’s training camp last week after the 2-1 win over Norway, during which he was sent out to warm up for a lengthy period in the second half but was not introduced.
The 41-year-old had started Portugal’s previous match against Wales before being substituted.
Jesus has continued to describe the incident as a misunderstanding rather than a serious breakdown in their relationship.
He has also left open the possibility of Ronaldo returning to future Portugal squads, maintaining that the issue can be resolved if the captain wants to continue representing the national team.
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