Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has explained his decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench throughout the 2-1 Nations League victory over Norway.
Ronaldo was named among the substitutes but never entered the contest, marking the first time in more than 18 years that the Portugal captain had remained an unused substitute in a competitive international fixture.
The decision immediately became one of the talking points from Portugal’s win, particularly after Ronaldo headed straight down the tunnel at full-time rather than joining his teammates in acknowledging the travelling supporters.
Jesus, who previously worked with Ronaldo at Al Nassr, insisted the decision was purely tactical and had nothing to do with concerns over the 41-year-old’s fitness.
“I had even agreed with him that he would come on in the last half hour, but the match did not require it,” Jesus told Portuguese broadcaster RTP.
“Goncalo Ramos was playing well, he had scored a goal and had another one ruled out. I felt it was not the right moment to substitute him. It was not to protect him physically, because he was in the condition to play as long as I wanted.
“The match followed its course and it stopped being the opportune moment to bring on Cris. Instead, another player was necessary to guarantee balance and the result.”
Jesus used all five of his available substitutions during the match, bringing Vitinha, Rafael Leão, Rúben Neves, Bernardo Silva and Francisco Trincão into the game.
Trincão eventually replaced Ramos in the 81st minute, but Ronaldo remained on the bench until the final whistle.
For Portugal, the result kept their Nations League campaign moving in the right direction, while Ronaldo’s omission added an unexpected subplot to an otherwise positive night.
The veteran forward remains Portugal’s most-capped men’s international with 234 appearances and the leading men’s international goalscorer.
His future with the national team has also been a talking point in recent days. Before Portugal’s 1-0 victory over Wales on Thursday, Ronaldo revealed that he had discussed his international future with Jesus.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he would continue representing Portugal until he felt he was no longer contributing to the team.
Jesus, however, made it clear that Ronaldo remains firmly in his plans.
“It was a decision,” he said. “I didn’t think it was the ideal moment, I needed a player with different characteristics, but that doesn’t mean he is not an option, on the contrary.
“Perhaps now, against Denmark, he will play.”
That final remark could prove significant ahead of Portugal’s next Nations League fixture against Denmark on Thursday.
Ronaldo’s absence against Norway was therefore presented by Jesus as a match-specific tactical call rather than a change in his status within the Portugal squad.
With the veteran forward still available and Jesus refusing to rule out his return to the starting lineup, attention will now shift to whether Ronaldo gets his chance to respond when Portugal face Denmark.
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