Portugal manager Jorge Jesus has clarified why Cristiano Ronaldo remained an unused substitute throughout the 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Norway in Oslo on Sunday.
Ronaldo, 41, was named among the substitutes and was fit to play, but stayed on the bench for the full 90 minutes as Gonçalo Ramos started up front and scored the winning goal.
Jesus said he had initially planned to introduce the captain.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano on X on Monday, the coach was quoted as saying, “I was thinking of Cristiano to come in… but then the game dictates other things,” he explained.
The coach emphasised that the decision was purely tactical and not related to fitness concerns. “I felt it wasn’t the right time to put him in the game. There are still two more games, but it wasn’t to protect him physically. He was ready,” Jesus added.
He further revealed that he had even agreed with Ronaldo beforehand to bring him on for the final half-hour. However, Ramos was performing well — scoring one goal and having another disallowed — and the match situation required different changes to maintain balance and protect the result.
Portugal used all five permitted substitutions, introducing players such as Vitinha, Rafael Leão, Rúben Neves, Francisco Trincão and Bernardo Silva, but Ronaldo was not among them.
Jesus left the door open for Ronaldo’s return in the upcoming fixtures, suggesting he could start against Denmark.
The result leaves Portugal top of their Nations League group after back-to-back wins.
Source: punchng.com
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