Cristiano Ronaldo Upset With Jorge Jesus After Being Benched for Portugal’s Win Over Norway

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly unhappy with head coach Jorge Jesus after remaining an unused substitute throughout the team’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Norway on Sunday.

The 41-year-old forward was named among the substitutes but did not feature in the match, ending a long run of appearing in competitive games for Portugal when fit. Ronaldo reportedly expected to play after Jesus had indicated that he could be introduced for the final 30 minutes.

Jesus later confirmed that he had initially planned to bring Ronaldo into the game but changed his decision because of how the match developed. The coach said Gonçalo Ramos was performing well and that he did not feel it was the right moment to replace him.

Ronaldo appeared unhappy after the final whistle, going directly to the dressing room instead of joining his teammates in acknowledging the Portugal supporters. Reports subsequently emerged of growing tension between the captain and the manager.

The situation intensified when Ronaldo did not take part in Portugal’s main training session in Malmö ahead of their meeting with Denmark. Portuguese football authorities said he instead carried out individual work, while reports linked the development to the growing tension surrounding his omission against Norway.

Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença has travelled to Copenhagen as officials seek to address the situation involving Ronaldo and Jesus. Reports say talks involving the captain and coach are intended to ease the tension before Portugal’s next Nations League fixture.

The dispute comes shortly after Jesus took charge of Portugal and reunited with Ronaldo, having previously coached the forward at Al-Nassr. Portugal won both of its opening Nations League matches, but Ronaldo’s role in the team has now become a major talking point ahead of the Denmark fixture.