01/10/2026
๐จ Josรฉ Mourinho blasts Jorge Jesus over the tension with Cristiano Ronaldo:
๐ฃ๏ธ Josรฉ Mourinho: โI 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.
โIf you already knew you werenโt going to use him, why call him up?
โCristiano is not Endrick. He is not Vinรญcius. He is not Yamal. He is Cristiano Ronaldo. You know exactly what he represents.
โJorge knew Cristiano was 41 when he selected him. He knew he couldnโt do what 25-year-old Ronaldo could do anymore. Nobody is asking him to play every minute or carry the team for 90 minutes.
โBut if you call him because you understand his importance, then you have to manage that importance properly. You donโt suddenly reduce him to a name on the bench just because you want to show everyone that the coach is in charge.
โIf Jorge has forgotten what Cristiano has done for Portugal, the world hasnโt forgotten.
โThis 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.
โAnd Jorge should also remember what Ronaldo has meant to his own career.
โCristiano 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.
โSo when you have benefited from someoneโs influence, you donโt turn around and treat that person as if he is now an inconvenience.
โCristiano is 41. Fine. Thatโs reality.
โHis legs are not the same. His minutes have to be managed. There will be games where he shouldnโt start.
โI have no problem with that.
โBut there is a massive difference between managing a 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and disrespecting Cristiano Ronaldo because he is 41.
โIf you need him for 20 minutes, play him for 20. If you need him for one decisive moment, prepare him for that moment.
โBut donโt make the mistake of thinking his age has erased everything he can still give you.
โAnd Jorge has to be careful because a coach can win an argument with a player today and still lose something much bigger tomorrow.
โThe Nations League will finish. The players will return to their clubs. Jorge will move on to the next match.
โBut Cristiano will remember how he was treated.
โYou donโt have to worship him. You donโt have to guarantee him a starting place.
โBut after everything Cristiano Ronaldo has given Portugal, **you owe him respect.
โYou donโt bite the fingers that helped feed you.โ #
