Jorge Jesus takes charge of Portugal and sends a direct message about Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal's new manager was blunt: only those who perform will play. CR7 was called out by name. Jesus has already handled a similar situation with Neymar at Al Hilal.
Jorge Jesus arrived at Portugal pulling no punches. Officially unveiled on Friday as the new head coach of the Portuguese national team, with a contract running until 2030 — the year Portugal will co-host the World Cup — the manager did not sidestep the subject of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The message was unambiguous: only players who are performing will take the field. No exceptions. According to Trivela, Jesus made that explicit at the press conference right after the announcement, naming CR7 directly. "He just needs to understand that," was reportedly the tone the manager adopted.
It is not the first time Jesus has taken this stance with a high-profile superstar. At Al Hilal, he faced a similar situation with Neymar — and did not bow to the star power. A Bola detailed how the manager handled that process without drama, but also without concessions. According to UOL columnist Rodrigo Mattos, Ancelotti should have been equally clear-eyed with the Brazilian at the national team.
Speaking of the Brazilian national team: Jesus nearly became Brazil's manager before Ancelotti took the job. The story could have looked very different.
Now, with Portugal drawn into Group K at the World Cup and the Golmetria model pointing to an all-but-guaranteed passage to the knockout rounds, the stage is set. Jesus's challenge is not getting through the group stage — it is deciding whether Cristiano Ronaldo has a place in this project, or whether 2026 marks the end of an era.
The answer will come on the pitch. And the whole world will be watching.