"As long as he is fit, I will pick him": Jorge Jesus throws support behind Cristiano Ronaldo
Lisbon, July 13
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus reaffirmed his faith in football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, saying the veteran forward will continue to be selected for the national team as long as he remains active and fit, with his inclusion always based on what is best for the team.
The 71-year-old manager, who has signed a four-year contract to guide Portugal through the 2030 World Cup, believes Cristiano Ronaldo still has a significant role to play on the international stage despite his advancing years.
"As long as he's playing and is in a condition to be selected, I will pick him, within certain limits and under the conditions that I consider best for the national team," Jorge Jesus said as per Goal.com.
Jesus praised Ronaldo's professionalism, saying the forward will never be a problem for Portugal or for him as a coach. He added that he enjoyed working with Ronaldo over the past year and found him easy to manage.
"I haven't spoken with [Ronaldo] yet. [He] is never going to be a problem for the national team. Not for the national team, nor for me. I had great pleasure working with him this past year, it's easy to work with him," Jesus said.
The appointment of Jesus marks a significant shift for Portugal following their disappointing exit from the 2026 World Cup.
Portugal were knocked out in the round of 16 after a 1-0 defeat to Spain, a result that led Roberto Martinez to step down as head coach.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I get the loyalty, but Portugal needs to think about the future. Ronaldo can't play forever. Bringing in a new coach and still relying on him feels like a short-term fix. Hope it doesn't backfire.
Jorge Jesus is a bold choice. But if anyone can manage Ronaldo's ego, it's him. As they say in cricket, form is temporary, class is permanent. Ronaldo still has that magic, especially in big matches.
Honestly, I'm tired of this Ronaldo worship. He's a legend, yes, but Portugal has plenty of young talent. It feels like the team is being held back. India understands that struggle—we've seen our cricketers overstay their welcome.
Ronaldo's work ethic is something we can all learn from, whether in sports or life. Jesus saying he's "easy to work with" shows how professional he really is. Haters can keep hating, but CR7 is a once-in-a-generation player. 🔥
I respect the coach's faith, but this feels a bit desperate. Portugal has a pool of amazing players—they don't need to rely on a 41-year-old striker. Hope they prove me wrong, but I'm skeptical.
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