Portugal appoints Jorge Jesus as head coach after the team’s World Cup exit, replacing Roberto Martinez. Multiple reports say Jesus addresses ongoing criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo by insisting the veteran player “will never be a problem” for the national team. Jesus describes Ronaldo as a “symbol of Portuguese football,” while also signaling that he plans to build the squad around key figures as Portugal prepares for future international tournaments.
One outlet notes that Jesus has recently worked with Ronaldo at Al Nassr, and that the new role brings the two together again if Ronaldo remains available for Portugal. Another report highlights that Ronaldo has not yet publicly decided his next steps, and frames Jesus’s comments as an intention to select him should he continue his international career. Together, the coverage indicates that Portugal’s coaching change is immediately accompanied by assurances about Ronaldo’s place in the team, alongside an overall effort to restart and restructure ahead of upcoming competitions.
