Portugal boss Jorge Jesus has confirmed he will hold talks with Cristiano Ronaldo after the forward walked off the pitch without acknowledging the travelling supporters following the 2-1 Nations League win over Norway in Oslo.
Ronaldo was surprisingly left on the bench for the match, with Goncalo Ramos starting up front and scoring, while Rafael Leao came on as a substitute during the second half.
Tactical decision explained
Explaining the decision, Jesus told Portuguese broadcaster RTP: "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."
"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." He added: "Perhaps now, against Denmark, he will play."
Ronaldo's reaction
There was a controversial moment in Oslo when Ronaldo walked straight off the pitch without recognising the travelling fans. In his post-match press conference, Jesus confirmed he will discuss the matter with the forward.
He added: "The fact that Ramos scored a goal doesn't justify anything, just like in the case of Félix who scored in two games. Each game has a strategy and I have to choose the best players for the game."
"Cris didn't play today because the game changed my ideas; my idea was for him to play in the second half, but given the result I felt it wasn't the right time to put him in the game. But that doesn't mean he won't play against Denmark. Since I made four changes today, I'm also capable of making four or five against Denmark."
Talks planned
On Ronaldo's lack of appreciation for the travelling fans, he said: "Absence of gratitude? I believe what they say, but I didn't even notice it. Only he can answer that. The fact is, just because he didn't play doesn't mean I don't count on him. I count on him completely."
"Before the game I told him, 'You won't start, but I'll put you in during the game.' But that's football, it dictates things that, in this case, didn't justify changing the striker to one with Cris's characteristics, knowing that we have a game against Denmark and it doesn't mean he won't be the first option in that game."
Jesus added: "I need to talk to him, but I know him well. The national team belongs to all of us, and he, as captain... I can't answer about his thoughts until I speak to him."
