Finland national trainer Jacob Friis attempted a joke regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Portugal’s training camp, but the remark was met with silence from reporters in the room, welt.de reported.
The Press Conference Joke That Fell Flat
Speaking to media members before a fixture against Albania, Friis referenced the ongoing controversy surrounding the Al-Nassr forward. With 49-year-old Friis attempting to lighten the mood regarding his own squad availability, the Finnish trainer remarked, Gestern ist keiner der Spieler mit einem Privatflugzeug abgereist, also sind alle einsatzbereit. Ich habe also die Qual der Wahl.
However, the punchline drew no reaction from the assembled journalists. Realizing the awkward stillness, Friis followed up by asking if the audience understood the opening joke. When one reporter confirmed they did, Friis joked about the traditional Finnish reserve, stating that the lack of response made him look like a fool.
The Background of the Portugal Camp Disagreement
The tension began after Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway, a match where the 41-year-old Ronaldo remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes.
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Ronaldo addressed his departure directly via Instagram, writing that he decided to leave the training camp following the coach’s press conference and a discussion with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation. He added that he would share his side of the story at a proper time. Meanwhile, Jorge Jesus defended his managerial stance, stating that rules apply equally to every player regardless of status, while acknowledging that substitutes naturally feel frustration when warming up without seeing action.
Differing Outlets and High-Profile Reactions
British broadcaster Piers Morgan sharply criticized Jorge Jesus on social media, defending Ronaldo’s historical contributions to the national team. Conversely, Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, voiced public support for her brother on Instagram.
On the pitch, Portugal has managed the absence successfully. The team secured a 4-2 victory over Denmark in Copenhagen following a prior 2-1 win against Norway, extending their lead at the top of Group A4 to six points. Gonçalo Ramos filled the void by scoring in both matches, while Rafael Leao inherited Ronaldo’s traditional number seven shirt.
Portugal Works to Repair Relationship with Veteran Star
Efforts to repair the relationship between the veteran star and the coaching staff are already underway.
Portugal concludes the current international break by hosting Norway in Porto on Sunday.
