Jorge Jesus confirmed on Wednesday he had read Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive statement but said his immediate focus was on the Portuguese national team.

The melodrama that was sparked by Jesus’ decision not to bring Ronaldo off the bench against Norway last week, a move that prompted the 41-year-old to walk out on the squad on the eve of the game against Denmark, shows no sign of abating.

Ronaldo put forward his version of events last night, outlining his desire to continue playing for Portugal and also revealing details of a private meeting with Jesus at which they agreed the wording the coach would use at a press conference prior to the Denmark game.

In that eight-point statement, Jesus is claimed to have agreed to point out Ronaldo’s loyalty, his positive impact on the national team and also admit it was a mistake not to bring on a player of the ‘stature of Pele or Maradona’ against Norway.

Ronaldo’s eight-point plan

1. I myself, and no one else, proposed to Cristiano a plan for him this sporting season with the National Team. It was a long and very good conversation.
2. I know how much he lives and loves the national team and the weight he has in the world, and even more the weight and the positive influence he has had on the national team for 24 consecutive years.
3. The plan I proposed to Cristiano was accepted.
4. He never questioned my options. He was exemplary, loyal and professional.
5. The match in Norway was not part of the plan I drew up for him. However, I felt that he had managed to recover physically from the first match and I warned him that I might have to use him. Cristiano agreed.
6. I made a mistake by putting someone of the stature of Pelé or Maradona on to warm up and then not putting him in the game. If it were today I would not do it.
7. To close the subject: I want Cristiano in the National Team. In fact I do not want him a little, I want him a lot. Fortunately he also believes in me. He believed at Al Nassr and he does here as well.
8. About not greeting the fans. We have already spoken about that. Someone who has played more than 230 matches for the national team does not receive lessons from me on love for Portugal. It was a moment of frustration that erases nothing. He is the player who gives the most autographs, takes the most selfies, and shows the most affection to the fans. Let us not invent problems where they do not exist. When we are not happy we react. That was all.

Jesus ignores Ronaldo’s wishes

Instead, at the press conference Jesus insisted he was right in not bringing Ronaldo off the bench due to the match situation and also reiterated the fact he had to look after 23 players, not one.

While Ronaldo has returned to Saudi Arabia to prepare for Al-Nassr’s Pro League game with Diriyah on Friday, Jesus went about his business as normal this morning.

After being collared by reporters outside his home in Lisbon, Jesus said: “I read the statement. And now as I do every day I go to the Federation to work and think about the Portuguese national team. I have nothing else to say.”

While Jesus has stated previously he would have no objection to Ronaldo returning to the Portugal squad for next month’s internationals, the striker’s outburst appears to have thrown a spanner in the works.

He did, at least, apologise to his team-mates for walking out on the squad and accepted his actions warrant some form of punishment. 

Simoes asks why Ronaldo is still playing

It will likely rest with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca to broker a truce in a row that has divided the country.

Former Portugal international Antonio Simoes, who helped his country to a third-placed finish at the 1966 World Cup alongside Eusebio, sides with Jesus.

He said of Ronaldo: “Why does he have to have special treatment? Can you have a different status and be a team player? I played with the King called Eusébio, I lived with Pelé and Maradona, I’ve never seen something like that around a King. A 41-year-old man playing soccer… isn’t it better to stop?”