It is not a repentant sinner who talks to the press in connection with the selection of the squad for the Nations League matches. National team manager Jorge Jesus says he would not change anything in his handling of superstar Christiano Ronaldo, including benching against Norway at Ullevaal Stadium.
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career is over after 146 goals in 234 games. Now national team manager Jorge Jesus responds to the criticism – and presents a new captaincy group without the star.
The news of Ronaldo’s resignation came earlier this week. The resignation was communicated a month after he left the Portuguese squad for the Nations League match against Denmark. It all stemmed from a conflict with Jorge Jesus, when the national team boss allowed the star to warm up without putting him in – before declaring that Ronaldo was not in the running to start against Denmark.
Jesus presented the next national team squad on Friday and was asked about his handling of the situation.
“I wouldn’t change anything, absolutely nothing. No, no. I made a decision where I put the interests of my team and the Portuguese national team first,” the national team manager said, according to the Record.
“I am convinced that I did not do anything that caused what happened,” Jesus adds.
He has previously commented on the news that Ronaldo had done his part in the national team. Jesus stated at the time that he asked the 41-year-old to think again.
“I asked him to stay, to stay with me because I needed him to be by my side, but I have to accept his decision. He is a world reference, a reference for Portugal, a reference for the national team. He is a player who has given a lot to the national team over the years.
New captain’s group
After Ronaldo’s departure, Jesus has presented a new group of captains: Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias, João Cancelo, Rúben Neves and Bruno Fernandes.
Portugal face Denmark on November 14 at the Estádio Municipal de Braga, before visiting Wales on November 17 in their final Nations League matches. The nation leads the group with twelve points out of a possible twelve and has already secured qualification for the quarter-finals – they only need one point to secure first place.
First withdrawal after the dismissal
It is Jorge Jesus’ first selection after Ronaldo’s departure, and the list went from 25 to 28 players compared to the first selection for the first four rounds of the Nations League.
Four players disappeared: Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes, Francisco Conceição and Cristiano Ronaldo. Of those, only Inácio was technically fit – Mendes is injured, Conceição suspended and Ronaldo has retired.
Seven new players came in: António Silva, Alberto Costa, Mateus Fernandes, Carlos Forbs, Geovany Quenda, Rodrigo Mora and Gustavo Varela. Monza striker Varela and FC Porto right-back Costa both make their debuts in the national team.
The entire squad
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting), Samuel Soares (Benfica)
Defence: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Alberto Costa (FC Porto), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Tomás Araújo (Benfica), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), António Silva (Bournemouth), João Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Tavares (Lazio)
Midfield: Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), João Palhinha (Benfica), João Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Mateus Fernandes (Tottenham), Bernardo Silva (Real Madrid)
Attack: Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Carlos Forbs (Club Brugge), Geovany Quenda (Chelsea), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Rafael Leão (Galatasaray), João Félix (Al Nassr), Trincão (Al Ahli), Rodrigo Mora (Roma), Fábio Silva (Borussia Dortmund), Gonçalo Ramos (Milan), Gustavo Varela (Monza)
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