Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has defended his squad selection policy, insisting that no player, including Cristiano Ronaldo, is entitled to special treatment based on status, as the veteran forward departed the national team’s camp.
Coach stresses team over individuals
Jesus said his focus was on the collective squad rather than any single star player as Portugal prepares for the Nations League.
“I don’t have just one player. I have 23 players. Our mission is to win the Nations League. Cristiano Ronaldo is not the main reason I’m here. Denmark is,” Jesus said.
Addressing frustration over playing time
The coach acknowledged that limited playing time creates frustration among players, but said this applied universally regardless of a player’s stature.
“When a player warms up for 20 or 30 minutes and doesn’t come on, nobody is happy. Much less Cristiano. Much less Pelé or Maradona… That’s obvious,” he said.
No special treatment, coach says
Jesus was firm that reputation does not exempt any player from his authority over selection decisions.
“A player’s status does not give him special rights. Status is about respecting their careers. I explain the plan to my players, and then I’m the one who decides,” he said.
The comments come as Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp, though the circumstances surrounding his departure were not detailed in the coach’s remarks.
