Portugal’s newly appointed national team coach, Jorge Jesus, has spoken out in support of his decision to call up Cristiano Ronaldo for the upcoming FIFA international window, addressing growing questions about whether the 41-year-old forward can still perform at the highest level.
Jesus unveiled his squad list on September 18, once again including the Al-Nassr striker, who made his sixth World Cup appearance at the most recent tournament. During a press conference, the coach acknowledged the media’s persistent curiosity about Ronaldo’s future, but pushed back firmly on any suggestion that age should disqualify him from national duty.
“I notice the concern from you journalists: how much longer will Cris play? Is he physically fit?” Jesus said, referring to Ronaldo by his nickname. “Cristiano Ronaldo is a symbol of Portugal and of the national team.” His remarks drew applause from reporters in the room.
Jesus brings unique insight into Ronaldo’s current form, having coached him for a year at Al-Nassr, the Saudi Arabian club, before taking over Portugal’s national team. “I spent a year with him, so I know what he means as a figure for Portugal,” the coach added, underscoring both Ronaldo’s symbolic weight and his continued relevance on the field.
Curious about how this story unfolds? Check out the original report for more details.
Source: <![CDATA[Por si necesitaba quien lo defendiera, Jorge Jesus argumenta la convocatoria de Cristiano Ronaldo]]> (RSS::excelsior.com.mx – Portada).
Image: West Point – The U.S. Military Academy, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).