Cristiano Ronaldo was thousands of miles away from Portugal’s preparations for their Nations League meeting with Denmark when he shared pictures of himself playing golf in Riyadh. The timing of the post, which coincided with a press conference featuring head coach Jorge Jesus and captain Bernardo Silva, quickly invited speculation that the former Portugal skipper was sending an indirect message to his national team coach following their reported disagreement and his international retirement.
Cristiano Ronaldo shares golf pictures as Portugal prepare for Denmark
Ronaldo posted a photograph on Instagram showing himself on a golf course alongside two senior figures from Al-Nassr, his Saudi Arabian club, while Portugal’s press conference was taking place on Friday evening ahead of Saturday’s match against Denmark.The 41-year-old was joined by Al-Nassr chief executive José Semedo and sporting director Simão Coutinho. The outing offered a glimpse of a new pastime for Ronaldo, who appears to have taken up golf alongside his football commitments.Ronaldo’s golf outing came just as Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus and captain Bernardo Silva were addressing the media ahead of Saturday’s clash against Denmark, adding to the attention surrounding his Instagram post.The coincidence prompted questions about whether Ronaldo intended the photograph as a pointed response to the coach, although there is no evidence establishing that the timing was deliberate or that the post was directed at Jesus.Ronaldo had spent several days in Portugal, staying at his mansion in the Quinta da Marinha area of Cascais, before returning to Riyadh. His appearance on the golf course came as his former international teammates prepared to take the field without him for the first time since the announcement.
Jorge Jesus praises Ronaldo’s legacy and responds to Portugal farewell plans
While Ronaldo was playing golf, Jesus was discussing the Portuguese Football Federation’s plans to honour the former captain against Denmark. The coach was asked about the tribute, which is expected to see Portugal’s players walk out wearing the iconic No. 7 shirt associated with Ronaldo.Jesus made clear that the arrangements were the responsibility of the federation rather than his own coaching staff.“This matter falls within the responsibility of the Portuguese Federation, specifically my football and sporting affairs departments, along with the president of the federation,” Jesus said.He welcomed the decision, emphasising the significance of Ronaldo’s 23 years representing Portugal and the achievements that made him one of the most influential figures in the history of the national team.“I think this idea is wonderful,” he added. “No one can forget the 23 years that Cristiano spent with the national team, and what he gave and what he represented in the world of football, whether with the national team or the other clubs.”Jesus also addressed his own relationship with Ronaldo, explaining that he had worked with the forward for a year rather than merely having a brief professional association with him.“I did not work with Cristiano for a single week, but spent a whole year with him,” Jesus continued. “And therefore I know very well how important he is, not only for the new players, but also for the youth across all parts of the world.”The coach reiterated his support for the tribute, describing Ronaldo as a figure whose contribution to Portuguese football should not be forgotten. However, when asked what might happen next in relation to the former captain, Jesus left the decision with Ronaldo himself.“I think it is a wonderful idea that we continue not to forget that he is a legend of Portuguese football. I no longer know what will happen, he alone knows.”
Portugal consider attacking options as Ronaldo’s international career ends
Jesus was also asked how Portugal would approach the attacking positions without Ronaldo, including his assessment of forwards Gustavo Varela and Fábio Silva.The coach distinguished between the two players, explaining that their contrasting characteristics had influenced their selection for the squad. Varela, he said, was a more conventional centre-forward, while Silva offered greater mobility and could operate as a second striker.“The two players possess different characteristics. Gustavo Varela is an out-and-out striker, and he closely resembles Gonçalo Ramos,” Jesus said.“As for Fábio, he possesses a greater ability to move, and he knows how to lead the attack on his own,” he explained. “As I said, he often plays with Borussia Dortmund as a second striker, and for this reason we selected him in the first squad, because we saw that he possesses different characteristics from Cristiano and Gonçalo Ramos.”
