Portugal’s prime minister spent part of Thursday on the phone to a footballer, a coach, and the president of the Portuguese Football Federation. The subject was one man.
Luís Montenegro contacted FPF president Pedro Proença first and asked to speak with Jesus, according to reporting from Portuguese newspaper Record and broadcaster SIC relayed by Africa Soccer. The prime minister also spoke directly with Ronaldo. The content of the conversations has not been made public.
The intervention followed Ronaldo’s departure from the Portugal camp in Copenhagen the day before the Nations League fixture against Denmark. The 41-year-old had been told he would not start, having also been left on the bench in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway days earlier.
“I will tell the truth to all the Portuguese”
Ronaldo set out his decision in a short post on Instagram.
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“Following the national team coach’s press conference, and after having a conversation with the Portuguese Football Federation president, I decided to leave the national team’s training camp. In due time, I will tell the truth to all the Portuguese people about my reasons for leaving,” he wrote.
Portuguese media filmed him leaving Parken Stadium in a federation vehicle, bound for a private flight to Madrid.
Jesus did not back down
Jesus had drawn a public line at his pre-match press conference, before the walkout.
“The player status does not grant differentiated rights. I am the one who decides,” he said, according to coverage by Argentine outlet Infobae. “No player will ever change my decisions.”
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Asked at the same press conference whether the Ronaldo matter was over, he refused to reopen it in public.
“At present, Cristiano Ronaldo is a closed subject,” Jesus told reporters. “We will have time to talk about this after the Denmark match.”
Portugal won without him
João Cancelo opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Mikkel Damsgaard levelled for Denmark ten minutes later, before Gonçalo Ramos put Portugal back in front on 25. Rasmus Højlund equalised again in the 53rd minute, then Vitinha headed home on 67 and João Félix added a fourth in the 87th minute, according to the match report in The National.
The result was Portugal’s third win from three Nations League group matches this season.
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Jesus has not indicated whether Ronaldo will be recalled for Portugal’s next international window.
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