A close friend of Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that the striker left the Portugal the camp has felt betrayed by coach Jorge Jesús.
Edu Aguirre, a Spanish journalist known to be close to the 41-year-old, made the claims to The Xinguito last night, shortly after Ronaldo confirmed he was leaving the team hotel ahead of the Nations League game with Denmark in Copenhagen.
According to Aguirre, the situation had been building since Ronaldo had been named among the substitutes for Sunday’s match in Norway. Jesus had promised to give him a few minutes towards the end, but then changed his mind due to the closeness of the game which his team ended up winning 2-1.
Ronaldo did not train on Monday and Tuesday, prompting confrontational talks with Jesus and Portugal Football Association (FPF) president Pedro Proença.
Aguirre said: “On Tuesday night there was a meeting between the president of the Federation, Jorge Jesus and Cristiano. Jorge Jesus apologized for making Cristiano warm up for 30 minutes without entering.
“And not only did he (Jesus) apologize privately, but he also says he will do so publicly. That was Jorge Jesus’ promise to Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Ronaldo exploded, claims Aguirre
Inevitably, Wednesday’s press conference ahead of the Denmark game was littered with Ronaldo-related questions and Jesus took a very different tone.
“Jorge Jesus goes to the press conference and tells lies. That’s why Cristiano exploded. Because he felt betrayed,” said Aguirre.
“Jorge Jesus privately says that he was wrong and that he will apologize at the press conference. And then he talks to the press and says that he is in charge and that Cristiano is just another player. The situation has surprised many people. Betrayal, betrayal, betrayal.”
Jesus certainly took an aggressive tone when he addressed the media, insisting there were no special conditions for Ronaldo. He also said Goncalo Ramos, who replaced the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star against Norway and scored the winner, would get the win against Denmark.
“If I need (Ronaldo), he will come. If I don’t need him, he won’t,” he said.
Ronaldo and Jesus worked together at Al-Nassr
The situation comes as a surprise given Ronaldo and Jesus worked in complete harmony last season as Al-Nassr won the Saudi Pro League.
But now the question remains: has Ronaldo played his last game for Portugal?
Before leaving Copenhagen on his private jet, he wrote on Instagram: “After the press conference of the national team and after a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have made the decision to leave the training camp of the national team.
“In due time, I will tell all the Portuguese the truth about the reasons that led me to leave the national team, to which I always dedicated myself.
“Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception.”
The FPF also issued a statement, insisting their focus was now on the Nations League clash with Denmark and the return against Norway.
It read: “Preparation for the two matches against Denmark and Norway continues as planned with the remaining 24 members of the squad.
“The entire delegation remains fully focused on the next matches of the national team and on the achievement of the established objectives.”
