Ronaldo unused as Portugal beat Norway, coach gives conflicting explanations

Portugal won 2-1 in Oslo but Cristiano Ronaldo did not play, remaining an unused substitute as Gonçalo Ramos started and scored the winning goal.

The decision to leave the 41-year-old captain on the bench drew two explanations from Portugal manager Jorge Jesus in press reports, which differ on whether the choice was purely tactical or linked to recent minutes Ronaldo had played.

In an interview reported by Punch, Jesus said the decision was tactical and not about fitness. “I was thinking of Cristiano to come in… but then the game dictates other things,” the coach was quoted as saying. He added, “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.” Punch also reported that Jesus said he had agreed with Ronaldo beforehand to bring him on for the final half-hour, but Ramos was performing well and match circumstances required different changes. The report noted Portugal used all five permitted substitutions, introducing Vitinha, Rafael Leao, Rúben Neves, Francisco Trincão and Bernardo Silva.

Daily Post published a different account of Jesus’s remarks, citing Al Nassr Zone on X. In that version the coach emphasised Ronaldo’s recent workload, saying, “Today is the third day. Cristiano played around 70 minutes against Wales, and I saw that he is not able to start two consecutive matches.” Jesus added, “We want Cristiano Ronaldo to be with us for these four matches, whether he plays more minutes or fewer, but we want him to be on the pitch.”

Both accounts agree on the match outcome and Ronaldo’s status as an unused substitute, but they attribute different primary reasons for the decision. The Punch version stresses tactical factors and that Ronaldo was ready to play, while the Daily Post version stresses cautious management of Ronaldo’s minutes after his appearance against Wales.

Punch also reported that Jesus left open the possibility Ronaldo could start in Portugal’s next fixture against Denmark and that the victory left Portugal top of their Nations League group after consecutive wins.

Portugal’s starting line-up featured Ramos up front, and he scored what proved the winning goal. The match ended 2-1 in Portugal’s favour.

Sources: Punch, Daily Post.

Featured image: Sportreport via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0.