Ronaldo given Portugal reprieve as Jorge Jesus reveals ‘different status’

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Cristiano Ronaldo has been called up by new Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus for the forthcoming Nations League matches against Wales, Norway (twice) and Denmark, putting an end to speculation that his last outing for his country might have been in the World Cup.

Ronaldo’s presence in Roberto Martinez’s side that travelled to North America was a source of contention, while his performances struggled to justify the selection of the 41-year-old superstar.

Jesus, though, continues to keep faith with the legendary forward, indicating that he has a ‘special status’ while insisting that did not influence his decision to call him up.

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Jesus sends Ronaldo warning despite ‘special status’

"His performance is what matters. The past doesn't count,” the new head coach told the media.

“Performance is what will tell me the decisions I'll make in training and in games. In this squad, there are 13 players who have worked with me.

“I don't have a foundation, so with that in mind, there were several players who were important in this squad.

“Cristiano is a player like any other. If he performs well, he plays; if not, he doesn't.

“He has a different status, he has five Ballon d'Or awards, but does that matter in my decisions? No. But is he different? That's for sure."

Ronaldo’s club-level form since the World Cup has been average, with three goals in six Saudi Pro League matches and an embarrassing 4-0 Champions League loss to Al-Ain, yet this has left Jesus unperturbed.

Ronaldo call-up threatens to split Portugal

Ronaldo had previously left his international future wide open following Portugal’s World Cup defeat in the last 16 to Spain.

“I will now have time to think and be with my family. I won't make decisions in the heat of the moment,” he said.

However, it was reported in the local press that Ronaldo “approved” of the decision to replace Martinez with Jesus, with the pair having developed a strong relationship.

The decision for the veteran to remain in the Portugal squad is likely to be a divisive one.

“The national team has shown that it is almost impossible to manage a player who, in terms of media presence, surpasses the value of the entire rest of the team, but who, in terms of sporting performance, has been losing capacity. In these major competitions, he has not been a player up to the standard expected of a forward in a team that is a contender to win,” SIC journalist Luis Cristovao wrote after the World Cup.

“I think it’s very difficult to look at the data, at reality, and believe that we can continue to give all the spotlight to Cristiano. The Ronaldo of the past would never accept being surpassed by the Ronaldo of today. And the Jorge Jesus of the past would never accept having a striker like the current Ronaldo.”

Within the squad, too, there is the potential for unrest.

Team-mates Francisco Conceicao and Joao Neves were targeted with a ‘wave of hatred’ on social media for comments made about the ex-Man Utd striker. Neither offered criticism towards Ronaldo but simply insisted, in the words of the PSG striker, that he is “just another player”.

For now, though, Ronaldo remains central to Portugal, with Jesus unwilling to be the man to call time on what has been a historic international career.