Ronaldo on the bench: Portugal coach explains the reason.

After the match, Jesus explained in his statements to the press: "I saw that the flow of the game required something different, and it wasn't the right time to bring him on."

He added: "There are other matches where he can provide a lot of help; he is an experienced player."

Jesus had stated before the match, according to the newspaper "Mundo Deportivo", regarding Ronaldo's absence from the starting lineup: "Today is the third day. Ronaldo played about 70 minutes in the Wales match, and I felt he couldn't start in two consecutive matches today."

He continued: "We want Ronaldo in these four matches, even if it's just for a few minutes, but we want him on the field."

Cristiano Ronaldo (41 years old) started in Thursday's match where Portugal won against Wales by a single goal.

The defending champions Portugal will visit Denmark next Thursday and host Norway on October 4.

It is worth noting that the last time Cristiano Ronaldo came on as a substitute for the Portuguese national team was nearly two years ago, specifically on September 8, 2024, during a UEFA Nations League match against Scotland (2-1), where he was brought on by Roberto Martinez in the second half and scored the winning goal in the 88th minute.

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The Portuguese national team managed to defeat their hosts Norway 2-1 at the Ullevaal Stadium in the capital Oslo, in the second round of the UEFA Nations League.

Jorge Jesus included striker Gonzalo Ramos in the attack instead of Cristiano Ronaldo, alongside Joao Felix, who scored Portugal's goals.

After the match, Jesus explained in his statements to the press: "I saw that the flow of the game required something different, and it wasn't the right time to bring him on."

He added: "There are other matches where he can provide a lot of help; he is an experienced player."

Jesus had stated before the match, according to the newspaper "Mundo Deportivo", regarding Ronaldo's absence from the starting lineup: "Today is the third day. Ronaldo played about 70 minutes in the Wales match, and I felt he couldn't start in two consecutive matches today."

He continued: "We want Ronaldo in these four matches, even if it's just for a few minutes, but we want him on the field."

Cristiano Ronaldo (41 years old) started in Thursday's match where Portugal won against Wales by a single goal.

The defending champions Portugal will visit Denmark next Thursday and host Norway on October 4.

It is worth noting that the last time Cristiano Ronaldo came on as a substitute for the Portuguese national team was nearly two years ago, specifically on September 8, 2024, during a UEFA Nations League match against Scotland (2-1), where he was brought on by Roberto Martinez in the second half and scored the winning goal in the 88th minute.