Cristiano Ronaldo “will never be a problem” for the Portugal team despite the controversy surrounding his disappointing participation in the 2026 World Cup, his new coach Jorge Jesus assured Friday during his presentation to the press.
“Cris is a symbol of Portuguese football. Cris is a symbol of the Seleçao. Cris is a symbol of Portugal, and that will always remain in history,” declared the 71-year-old coach, appointed to replace the Spaniard Roberto Martinez following Portugal’s elimination in the round of 16 of the World Cup, against Spain (1-0).
Roberto Martinez was widely criticized for having systematically aligned Ronaldo in his starting lineup and only replacing him once, in the 81st minute of the round of 16 won against Croatia (2-1), giving too little playing time to his understudy Gonçalo Ramos.
“On Cris as a player and the controversy that there was around him, everyone thinks what they want,” said Jorge Jesus, who worked with him last season at Al-Nassr. He recalled that the 41-year-old had been “very easy” to work with, while replacing him on 16 occasions.
After the elimination of Portugal on Monday, the five-time Ballon d’Or confirmed that this sixth World Cup had been his last, without however revealing whether he intended to continue his international career. “I know he wants to continue playing at Al-Nassr,” said Jorge Jesus.
“From the moment he plays and is able to be selected, I will do so, within a certain limit and in the conditions that I consider to be the best for the selection,” he concluded.
