Not since Euro 2008 has Ronaldo sat through a full competitive Portugal match without playing. The last time was on 15 June 2008 in a group-stage defeat to Switzerland under Luiz Felipe Scolari, with the quarter-finals already secured. Sunday’s Nations League game in Oslo was only the third time in his Portugal career the 41-year-old captain has been left as an unused substitute.

Jesus’s post-match explanation carried a clear message that this was not about protecting a body.

“He didn’t come on. I was thinking of putting him on, perhaps for half an hour, but then the game dictates other things. I felt it wasn’t the right moment to put him on.”

“It was a tactical decision. I didn’t think it was the ideal moment; I needed a player with different characteristics, but that doesn’t mean he is out of the options, quite the opposite.”

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The manager stressed the fitness point directly.

“There are still two [games] left, but it wasn’t to protect him physically, because he was in condition to play for as long as I wanted him to.”

Ronaldo had been told before kick-off that he would come on for the final half-hour. What changed the plan was Gonçalo Ramos. The striker, in for Ronaldo in the starting XI, intercepted a loose pass from Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland to put Portugal 2-1 up in the 54th minute, and Jesus was not going to break up the balance.

“I had actually agreed with him that he would play the final half-hour, but the game wasn’t calling for it.”

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“Gonçalo Ramos was playing well, he had scored a goal, and had another one disallowed. I felt it wasn’t the moment to take Ramos off.”

João Félix had opened the scoring in the 17th minute with his second goal in as many games. Erling Haaland levelled from close range early in the second half before Ramos’s winner seven minutes later.

Denmark next in Copenhagen

Portugal travel to Denmark on 1 October, and Jesus has already signalled that his captain is back in the frame.

“Perhaps now, against Denmark, he will play.”

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Kick-off at Parken Stadium is at 8:45pm local time.

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