Jorge Jesus wants to kill the story quickly. The Portugal head coach used his pre-match press conference on Thursday to deny any falling-out with captain Cristiano Ronaldo, after the Al-Nassr forward's conduct following Sunday's 2-1 Nations League win over Norway in Oslo raised eyebrows across the Portuguese media.

What actually happened in Oslo?

Ronaldo did not get off the bench against Norway. Rather than joining his team-mates in acknowledging the travelling support at full-time, he walked straight down the tunnel — a detail that, combined with subsequent reports of a training-ground dispute, was enough to generate significant noise back home.

Jesus, who worked with Ronaldo at Saudi club Al-Nassr before taking the national job, offered a straightforward explanation. "Any player — and I was a player myself — when you spend 20 or 30 minutes warming up and then don't get on, no-one is happy about that," he told reporters. He added that he had informed Ronaldo before kick-off that he would start on the bench and might be introduced later, but that he ultimately chose not to use him. "Afterwards, as coach, I decided not to bring him on. It's nothing to make a fuss about."

The training-session dispute

The more pointed allegation was that Ronaldo had refused to train on Tuesday. Jesus dismissed that version of events, saying the 41-year-old instead completed individual work focused on mobility and strengthening, with a return to full-group training expected on Wednesday.

Those assurances were complicated, however, by Portuguese media reporting that Ronaldo did not appear on the pitch with his colleagues in Denmark — and that his private jet had been tracked heading to Copenhagen. Whether that amounts to absence or simply a different pre-match routine was left unclear by the camp.

Ramos keeps his place

Whatever the state of relations, the practical consequence for Thursday's match against Denmark is straightforward: Gonçalo Ramos starts. The AC Milan striker scored the winner against Norway and Jesus confirmed he would again lead the line at Parken Stadium. "If everything goes according to plan, it will be Gonçalo who plays," Jesus said. "If I need [Ronaldo], he'll come on. If I don't need him, he won't."

That is a blunt hierarchy. Ronaldo, who turned 41 in February, is being managed carefully — or is managing himself carefully, depending on which account you accept. Either way, the manager's language puts results and squad balance ahead of sentiment, which is the correct instinct even if the diplomacy around it has been imperfect.

The bigger picture

Portugal are in Nations League action this week and Jesus is a relatively new appointment, still establishing authority over a dressing room that contains one of the most decorated players in the sport's history. Navigating that dynamic publicly, while keeping Ronaldo available without making him the centre of every selection conversation, is the challenge he has set himself.

For now, Jesus is saying the right things. Whether the images of an empty training pitch and a private jet heading to Copenhagen tell a different story is a question the Portugal camp has not fully answered.

Frequently asked

Why didn't Ronaldo play against Norway?
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus chose to leave Ronaldo on the bench for the full 90 minutes of their 2-1 win over Norway in Oslo. Jesus said he had told Ronaldo before the game he would not start but might come on later, and then decided not to use him at all.
Did Ronaldo refuse to train with Portugal?
Jorge Jesus denied reports that Ronaldo refused to train, saying the 41-year-old completed individual mobility and strengthening work instead of joining the group session. However, Portuguese media reported that Ronaldo did not appear on the training pitch in Denmark ahead of the Nations League fixture against the Danes.
Is Ronaldo still in Portugal's starting XI?
No — at least not for the Nations League match against Denmark. Jesus confirmed that AC Milan striker Gonçalo Ramos, who scored the winner against Norway, would start the game, with Ronaldo available as a substitute if needed.