World Cup
Ronaldo asks Jorge Jesus to read a text comparing him to Pelé and Maradona
In a statement released Tuesday evening, Cristiano Ronaldo revealed that he had written a text that the Portugal manager, Jorge Jesus, was supposed to read in front of the press. The document, presented as a “brief document” in eight points, glorified the five‑time Ballon d’Or winner and compared him to legends such as Pelé and Maradona.
The context of the dispute
Ronaldo explained that the private meeting with Jorge Jesus and a few close associates took place two days after the match against Norway on September 27, where he did not receive a single minute of play. According to the player, the exchange was intended to smooth tensions and to prepare the next phase of the Portuguese national team gathering.
The imposed text
The text, personally approved by CR7, was to be read at a press conference to calm the public debate. Ronaldo says the document, drafted with the help of Simão Coutinho and Tiago Craveiro, was an eight‑point letter praising the Al Nassr striker. He claims to have handed it to the manager, as the latter had requested.
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Jorge Jesus’s reaction
Jorge Jesus, 72, nevertheless refused to read the text in front of the media. At a conference on September 30, he reminded that “status is one thing, but the rules are the same for everyone” and emphasized his authority over the team, stating “I’m the one who decides.”
Ronaldo called the refusal a “betrayal” and denounced the fact that the manager did not keep his word a second time. He added that, despite his anger, he wishes to return to the national team in the future, provided the managerial position changes.
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The statement, published under the Football World Cup section, sparked numerous reactions, with some observers criticizing the player’s “megalo” tone. The text, which has never been read publicly, remains a testament to the tension between Portugal’s top scorer and his coach.