Ruben Dias Defends Ronaldo After Portugal Bench Him Against Norway

Portugal have moved to ease the tension surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo before Thursday’s Nations League meeting with Denmark, with Ruben Dias insisting the squad have kept the forward’s frustration in perspective after the 2-1 victory over Norway.

What changed for Portugal

Ronaldo was an unused substitute against Norway on Sunday, despite Jorge Jesus having indicated that the 41-year-old would play for around 30 minutes. After Portugal secured the win, Ronaldo went straight towards the tunnel rather than remaining to acknowledge the supporters, and he also missed two training sessions.

The Portugal manager has maintained that leaving his captain out was a tactical choice. Ronaldo then held talks with Jesus on Tuesday evening, with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca also present, as the three sought to resolve the issue.

Dias, speaking for himself as well as Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, said the group did not attach the same weight to the episode as the public discussion had done. The Manchester City defender described clashes, disappointments and disagreements as normal parts of a long football career.

“These situations happen to everyone,” Dias said. “Find one player who has never had an issue with a coach, a difficult moment or a disagreement. Frustration with a manager or with yourself is natural. The important thing is putting it in context and moving forward.”

Competition context

Portugal began this Nations League sequence with a 1-0 win over Wales, a match in which Ronaldo played 67 minutes. The subsequent 2-1 result against Norway strengthened their position, even as attention centred on the captain’s reaction to remaining on the bench.

Dias said a brief emotional response after the final whistle should not be confused with a lack of commitment to the national side. He argued that the squad were celebrating an important result within minutes of the game ending.

• Portugal beat Wales 1-0, with Ronaldo on the pitch for 67 minutes.
• Portugal then defeated Norway 2-1, with Ronaldo unused.
• Jesus has described the Norway selection decision as tactical.

Dias also declined to discuss Manchester City’s off-field situation when asked about the independent commission that found the club guilty of nearly all 115 financial charges. He said his focus at the press conference was solely Portugal’s national-team objectives.

What is scheduled next

Portugal face Denmark in the Nations League on Thursday, with the immediate task for Jesus and his players to ensure the Ronaldo episode does not distract from their campaign.

The clear-the-air meeting involving Ronaldo, Jesus and Proenca has been presented as having settled the matter. Portugal will now look for the captain and the rest of the squad to turn the focus back to the next fixture.