Piers Morgan once again launched harsh criticism at Jorge Jesus. "Cristiano Ronaldo received absolute guarantees about how he would be used. It was one of the reasons why he continued in the national team. It was agreed that Ronaldo would play the first two matches and rest in the other two. He had the guarantee that he would play 90 minutes in the first match. He got upset at being substituted at 60. The coach apologised, and the apology was also made to the president [Pedro Proença], and said he was going to explain that it should not have happened. In the following match, Jorge Jesus acted like Ten Hag and embarrassed Cristiano Ronaldo. He said everyone was important, something that also irritated him. Then he went to him and told him he wanted to count on him for 30 minutes against Norway. 'OK, if that's what you want, I'll do it.' So, he sits on the bench, warms up for 25 minutes and never gets on. Once again, and he gets upset," said the British journalist.
On his own programme, Football Uncensored, Morgan continued the attack. "Jorge Jesus never played a game for Portugal. He was crap as a player and now he is downplaying the greatest player ever for Portugal. As long as Ronaldo is fit, the financial impact of him playing for Portugal should not be ignored. Messi is going to have his last game for Argentina and will have the farewell he deserves. Doesn't it bother you that Ronaldo may never have one because the coach has decided that he is the boss who humiliates him?" he asked.
The moment that "blows up" the relationship
The relationship between Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus was shaken on September 27, when the forward and captain of the national team did not appreciate the fact that he had been warming up for 37 minutes without being given any playing time in Norway-Portugal, played in Oslo. The relationship was shaken and there is a later moment that results in a deep rift in the relationship between coach and player.
That moment did not occur in a training session, in a gym, or even in a conversation between the two. That defining moment of what followed took place last Wednesday, when, in the preview of Denmark-Portugal - third matchday of the Nations League -, Jorge Jesus was asked about who would start the following day, replying to the journalist: "Gonçalo Ramos".
Now, it was at that moment that Cristiano Ronaldo, who was watching the press conference, accompanied by other people, gets up and says he is leaving, considering that he was doing nothing there, meaning, in the national team. From this moment began the process that ended with the captain leaving Copenhagen aboard his private plane.