Portugal suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Denmark in their first match since Cristiano Ronaldo announced his international retirement on November 5. The match, which took place in Braga on Saturday, marked the end of Ronaldo's 23-year career with Portugal, during which he scored 146 goals in 234 appearances. Ronaldo's retirement was a significant blow to the team, and many fans were eager to see how Portugal would perform without their star player.
In the post-match press conference, coach Jorge Jesus was asked whether the absence of Ronaldo had been felt during the match. Jesus was characteristically blunt in his response, dismissing suggestions that Ronaldo's absence had a significant impact on the team's performance. "Missing what? He's no longer on the national team, so what's missing?" he said. "The only thing missing is his presence here to keep me company."
Jesus's remarks come against the backdrop of a strained relationship between him and Ronaldo. Earlier in the campaign, Ronaldo left the national team camp after being left out of the starting line-up and not introduced from the bench during a Nations League fixture, despite warming up. This disagreement ultimately led to Ronaldo's decision to retire from international football. Jesus has consistently maintained that Ronaldo's decision must be respected and that the team must move forward without him.
The heavy home defeat to Denmark is likely to intensify scrutiny on Portugal's transition into the post-Ronaldo era. Denmark dominated the contest, with Rasmus Højlund scoring twice as the visitors ran out comfortable winners. Portugal managed only a late consolation goal, and the team's performance was widely criticized. The defeat has raised questions about Portugal's ability to move forward without Ronaldo's leadership and goal-scoring ability.
Despite the defeat, Jesus remains committed to his team's new era without Ronaldo. He has emphasized the need for Portugal to focus on their new players and to develop a new style of play. Jesus has also acknowledged that the team will miss Ronaldo's experience and leadership, but he believes that they can still achieve success without him. The team's next match will be crucial in determining their progress and ability to adapt to life without Ronaldo.
The relationship between Jesus and Ronaldo has been strained in recent months, and Jesus's comments are likely to be seen as a further indication of their differences. However, Jesus has also praised Ronaldo's achievements and expressed his gratitude for his contributions to the team. Ronaldo, who remains in pursuit of 1000 goals, has not publicly commented on Jesus's remarks, but it is clear that his retirement has had a significant impact on the team and the Portuguese football community.
Portugal will need to regroup and reassess their strategy ahead of their next match. The team's performance against Denmark was disappointing, and they will need to improve significantly if they are to achieve their goals. The post-Ronaldo era has begun, and Jesus will be under pressure to deliver results and to develop a new team that can compete at the highest level.
Key points
- Portugal coach Jorge Jesus dismissed suggestions that Cristiano Ronaldo's absence was felt during their 4-1 Nations League defeat to Denmark.
- Ronaldo announced his international retirement on November 5, ending a 23-year career with Portugal.
- The defeat has raised questions about Portugal's ability to move forward without Ronaldo's leadership and goal-scoring ability.
