01/10/2026
🚨 José Mourinho blasts Jorge Jesus over the tension with Cristiano Ronaldo:
🗣️ José Mourinho: “I find it insulting to Cristiano Ronaldo that you would call him up for the national team, take him to these games and then treat him like he is just another player you can leave on the bench.
“If you already knew you weren’t going to use him, why call him up?
“Cristiano is not Endrick. He is not Vinícius. He is not Yamal. He is Cristiano Ronaldo. You know exactly what he represents.
“Jorge knew Cristiano was 41 when he selected him. He knew he couldn’t do what 25-year-old Ronaldo could do anymore. Nobody is asking him to play every minute or carry the team for 90 minutes.
“But if you call him because you understand his importance, then you have to manage that importance properly. You don’t suddenly reduce him to a name on the bench just because you want to show everyone that the coach is in charge.
“If Jorge has forgotten what Cristiano has done for Portugal, the world hasn’t forgotten.
“This man has carried Portugal through generations. He has scored the goals, broken the records, won the trophies and kept Portugal competing at the highest level for years.
“And Jorge should also remember what Ronaldo has meant to his own career.
“Cristiano has given him exposure. He has given him international relevance. He has been part of the reason people around the world were watching that team.
“So when you have benefited from someone’s influence, you don’t turn around and treat that person as if he is now an inconvenience.
“Cristiano is 41. Fine. That’s reality.
“His legs are not the same. His minutes have to be managed. There will be games where he shouldn’t start.
“I have no problem with that.
“But there is a massive difference between managing a 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and disrespecting Cristiano Ronaldo because he is 41.
“If you need him for 20 minutes, play him for 20. If you need him for one decisive moment, prepare him for that moment.
“But don’t make the mistake of thinking his age has erased everything he can still give you.
“And Jorge has to be careful because a coach can win an argument with a player today and still lose something much bigger tomorrow.
“The Nations League will finish. The players will return to their clubs. Jorge will move on to the next match.
“But Cristiano will remember how he was treated.
“You don’t have to worship him. You don’t have to guarantee him a starting place.
“But after everything Cristiano Ronaldo has given Portugal, you owe him respect.
“You don’t bite the fingers that helped feed you.
