Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo will not influence his tactical decisions, stressing that he retains the final say over team selection.
Jesus made the remarks ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League clash with Denmark at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on Thursday.
The coach said he had already informed Ronaldo that the 41-year-old would not start Portugal’s matches against Norway and Denmark, explaining that the decision was based on the forward’s physical condition and workload.
“I told him (Ronaldo) that he would not start the matches against Norway and Denmark. I worked for a year with Cris. I know his physical condition perfectly. I was already doing that in Saudi Arabia, when we were playing every three days,” Jesus said.
He added that Ronaldo had been told he would be used when required during matches.
Jesus also addressed reports that Ronaldo was unhappy after being left out of Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway.
The coach said that while he could discuss a player’s potential involvement before a match, the final decision on when to use him remained his responsibility.
“I can promise whatever I want. I am the coach,” Jesus said.
“I told the player that he would not start the match, and that he would be on the substitutes’ bench. If I need him for 30 minutes then he will play, and if I do not need him then he will not play.”
Jesus stressed that no player, regardless of reputation, would be allowed to influence his tactical decisions.
“There is no player who will change my ideas, neither him nor anyone else in football, not even any president, that will never happen,” he said.
The former Sporting Lisbon and Benfica manager also rejected the suggestion that Ronaldo’s achievements entitled him to special treatment.
“Status is one thing, but the rules are the same for everyone. Status comes from his past and his career. One must pay attention, but I always decide according to the team’s goal,” Jesus said.
“I am the one who decides. Whoever has worked with me knows that. At the club, the president is the one who gives the orders, but in the team, I am the one who gives the orders.”
Asked whether Ronaldo could replace first-choice striker Gonçalo Ramos during Thursday’s match, Jesus declined to confirm that he would use the veteran forward.
“I do not know. It depends on the match,” he said.
The comments follow reports of frustration from Ronaldo after he was left out of Portugal’s victory over Norway.
The forward did not feature in the match and subsequently missed training with his team-mates on Monday and Tuesday.
Jesus had previously explained that he intended to use Ronaldo during the Norway game but had not planned to start him.
After the final whistle in Oslo, Ronaldo reportedly went straight from the substitutes’ bench to the tunnel rather than joining his team-mates in acknowledging the travelling Portuguese supporters.
Portugal face Denmark on Thursday, with Jesus continuing to manage Ronaldo’s involvement as he seeks to balance the veteran forward’s workload with his tactical plans.
