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When Jorge Jesus replaced Roberto Martínez, the reverse-alchemist of golden generations, as head coach of the Portugal national team, it was thought his appointment could spell the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career. Aged 41 and having selfishly kiboshed his nation’s otherwise excellent chances of winning several recent major tournaments, Ronaldo promptly materialised for the Nations League opener against Wales, vowing to keep holding Portugal back at least until he’d reached the magic number of 1,000 career goals for club and country. “It doesn’t matter if I play tomorrow,” he honked. Still 21 shy of his tally, Ronaldo failed to put a dent in it during his side’s narrow victory and was an unused substitute in their follow-up win against Norway. Having previously stated that he would have no objections to being “rested” by Jesus, Ronaldo flounced out of the Parken Stadium before training on the eve of Thursday’s game against Denmark, having apparently spent the previous two days sulking in a hotel gym with only some kettlebells and squat racks for company.
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