Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Portugal camp before Denmark game after benching talk

He also wished Portugal and his teammates good luck "without exception". He has not said publicly why he left.

What Jesus said

Jesus told reporters that "rules are the same for everyone". He said Gonçalo Ramos would start up front against Denmark "if everything goes according to plan".

"If we need [Ronaldo] to play, he'll play. If not, he won't," Jesus said.

He denied any rift. "It seems like there was an issue between us, but there was no issue," he said. He also said Ronaldo had told him he would accept whatever decisions the coach made.

The row began on Sunday, when Ronaldo did not play in Portugal's 2-1 win over Norway in Oslo. According to the BBC, he did not join teammates in going over to the visiting fans at the final whistle. He went to the changing room instead, and reports said he was unhappy with the manager.

Jesus said he made a mistake in having Ronaldo warm up for as long as he did without using him. He said "any player" would be upset by that.

Accounts differ on what Ronaldo was told

The sources differ on what Ronaldo was told before the Norway game. ESPN says Jesus admitted he had said Ronaldo would likely play, then changed his mind because of how the match went. The BBC says Jesus told Ronaldo he would not start but might come on later.

There is also a difference over training. Reports said Ronaldo refused to train on Tuesday, and ESPN says he has not trained with the group since the Norway game. Jesus said Ronaldo was doing individual "mobility" and "strengthening" work, and that he would train normally on Wednesday.

Ronaldo did not practise on Wednesday. Portuguese media shared video of him leaving Parken stadium with two members of the backroom staff.

Why it matters

Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in men's international football, with 146 goals. He is also chasing 1,000 career goals. He started Portugal's 1-0 win over Wales last Thursday and was substituted in the 67th minute.

Jesus, who coached Ronaldo for about a year in Saudi Arabia, took over from Roberto Martínez after the World Cup. He said Ronaldo's stature deserves a different kind of attention "because of his career and history in soccer". He also said there was no "Ronaldo case".

Portugal lead Nations League Group A4 with six points from two games. Denmark and Norway have three each, and Wales have none.

What happens next

Portugal play Denmark on Thursday. Watch for the fuller explanation Ronaldo has promised.