Jorge Jesus explains Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic spell on the bench against Norway

Jorge Jesus explained his decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench throughout the match against Norway: according to Portugal’s new coach, the right moment to bring him on had ultimately passed.

The situation was rare enough to be described as historic. Cristiano Ronaldo, who was not injured, remained a substitute for the entirety of Portugal’s victory over Norway in this phase of the Nations League. His previous spell on the bench dated back to a friendly against Croatia in June 2024. To find his last time as a substitute in an official match, with points or qualification at stake, one must go back more than 18 years: 15 June 2008, during the Euro group stage, when Portugal had already qualified and lost to Switzerland.

Closely followed by the cameras, Ronaldo even went to warm up along the touchline late in the match, but was ultimately not used. Jorge Jesus said he had initially agreed with him that he would come on during the final half-hour. But Gonçalo Ramos, who scored one goal and had another disallowed, was performing well in his view, and the coach did not consider it necessary to replace him.

The coach also ruled out any physical precaution: Ronaldo, he said, was capable of playing for as long as he wanted. As the match progressed, Jesus felt that another profile was more necessary to preserve balance and the result. He stressed that it was a tactical choice, not a decision to discard Ronaldo.

Jorge Jesus said Cristiano Ronaldo could play in the next fixture against Denmark. He also dismissed the idea that Gonçalo Ramos, scorer of the second goal, had been given more playing time.

On the bench, Ronaldo remained serious. Described as retaining the same competitive temperament he had at 18, he returned to the bench at the final whistle without joining his teammates in applauding the supporters who had backed the team on the pitch.