Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has refused to engage further in his public dispute with Cristiano Ronaldo, saying he had nothing more to add after reading the captain’s detailed account of their recent fallout.
Jesus spoke to journalists on Wednesday morning as he left his home for the Portuguese Football Federation headquarters, confirming that he had read Ronaldo’s statement published on Tuesday.
“I read the statement and now, like I do every day, I’m going to the Federation headquarters to work, to think about the Portuguese national team,” Jesus said. “I have nothing more to say.”
Ronaldo, 41, had used his statement to explain why he left Portugal’s training camp during the recent international window, accusing Jesus of breaking his word on two occasions.
The forward said Jesus had promised to introduce him against Norway after asking him to warm up, but ultimately left him on the bench.
Ronaldo also claimed the coach later agreed to clarify the situation at a press conference but failed to deliver the talking points they had discussed.
He described the second incident as another breach of trust and said he decided to leave the camp rather than risk “any further breach of word”.
Ronaldo, however, apologised to his teammates and the Portuguese public over his failure to greet supporters after the Norway match, accepting that the Football Federation could punish him.
He also insisted that he remained committed to Portugal and would be available for selection once any suspension had been served, provided he remained physically fit.
Jesus had previously said there was no lasting rift between them and that Ronaldo remained eligible for future selection.
The coach's latest comments suggest he intends to move on from the dispute as Portugal prepares for its next international assignments.
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