Jesus: I did not apologise to Cristiano Ronaldo, his return to the national team is in his hands

Georgie Jesus, the head coach of Portugal, has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is still in his plans, emphasizing that the decision for the captain of Portugal to continue with the national team is now in his hands. This comes after their victory over Norway by a score of 2-1 and qualifying for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League.

Jesus said regarding the apology: "Did I apologize to Cristiano Ronaldo? I do not apologize to anyone. The problem that caused all this was that the player was warming up. I take responsibility for the decision and what happened. But apologize for what? And to whom? This is not right. Apologize for what? And what was the issue that required an apology?"

He added: "I have talked for a whole year about the status and symbol of Cristiano Ronaldo, especially for children; he is a global reference. That is why I said after the match that Cristiano will not return to the national team unless he does not want to. For me, this is not a problem; what happened between him and me was exaggerated too quickly. Many people intervened in the matter and made it seem like a problem, while there was no problem at all."

Explaining Cristiano Ronaldo's absence against Norway in the second round of the UEFA Nations League, the coach said: "A coach puts a player, who is a different player and has a special status, in the warm-up and then does not bring him in, which turns into a problem. Do you think this is a sufficient reason for a symbol like Cristiano to end his career in such a sudden way? I want him to be there. He knows that the end will come; it won't last forever. But I want him to end his career with the national team in the way he wants. He is the one who will decide. That's how we talked. In his first call-up, I told him: 'I need you.' Whether he plays or not, I need you. And now it's the same thing."

He emphasized: "One of the things I told Cristiano is that he cannot end his career with the national team at the World Cup with a loss and tears. He should have ended his career with the national team while playing. That’s why he played in the first match at the Estádio Alvalade, and he was supposed to play here today as well. But because of what happened, everything changed. I am the national team coach, and I call up whoever I want. I don’t ask anyone who I should call up, nor do I ask anyone who will play. There are several moments and principles that cannot be negotiated. So I don’t know how I can be clearer than that."

Regarding the possibility of Ronaldo returning to the national team: "I don't know what he can decide, I have already said what I have, but I will add something. For me, there was no problem at the beginning. I considered it normal as a coach. To have a player of such stature and symbolism for his country and national team... there are principles as a coach that cannot be compromised, but since nothing exceptional has happened regarding my authority, if he is playing with Al Nassr, Cristiano will be a player who can be called up if he wants to return to the national team."

He concluded: "In my opinion, he cannot hold me accountable for a friendship that lasted a year due to a situation that cannot be understood, just because it is him. This problem arose, and perhaps it was understandable because he is a symbol. The issue of him entering the pitch, warming up, and then not participating. How many players warmed up today and did not enter? Would there be a problem? No. With Cristiano, it is different because he is a symbol. But is it a problem? For me, it was not a problem. If Cristiano wanted and was playing with Al Nassr, he would be on the list for the next call-up. We talked before this call-up, and we can talk before the next call-up. But Cristiano is the one who will decide."