THE FUSE

Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has dismissed questions regarding Cristiano Ronaldo's international retirement following a shock 4-1 defeat to Denmark. Jesus suffered his first loss at the helm in Braga as Portugal's post-Ronaldo era suffered a nightmare setback.

Nightmarish start to post-Ronaldo era

Portugal suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat at home to Denmark in Braga, marking their heaviest home loss in official matches. According to RTP, the party atmosphere surrounding emotional pre-match tributes to the newly-retired Cristiano Ronaldo quickly evaporated as the visitors ran riot. Jorge Jesus suffered his first defeat in five matches as national team boss, bringing an abrupt end to his unbeaten start.

Jesus brushes off Ronaldo absence questions

Asked after the match whether Portugal missed their legendary former captain—who retired last week after 234 caps and 146 goals—Jesus offered a characteristically blunt response. The experienced manager made it clear that the squad must look forward rather than dwell on the past.

"Do I miss Cristiano Ronaldo? How can I miss him if he's no longer in the national team? Only if it's to keep me company," Jesus retorted.

"He doesn't play anymore. He's not here anymore. He has already decided his situation."

Defensive frailties exposed in Braga

The heavy loss laid bare Portugal's current tactical limitations, particularly in transition and defensive positioning, as Rasmus Hojlund scored twice alongside goals from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Joachim Andersen. Despite dominating the early stages of the UEFA Nations League campaign, Jesus's side looked disjointed and devoid of attacking inspiration until Bernardo Silva's late consolation.

Responding against Wales in Cardiff

Portugal now face a crucial trip to Cardiff to face Wales on Tuesday, where they must avoid defeat to secure top spot in Group A4 and ensure a seeded status in the quarter-finals. With key players like Ruben Dias and Joao Palhinha suspended, Jesus must rally his remaining 24-man squad. The manager will be expected to restore defensive discipline and secure the point needed to bounce back from this historic setback.

A sports journalist with nearly a decade of experience, beginning the professional journey at Indonesia's legendary Tabloid BOLA from 2017 until its final print edition in December 2018. Following that, joining GOAL, contributing as a freelance writer for FIFA, and working within the media department of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF). Alongside the journalism career, also active as a live play-by-play commentator for Indonesian football since 2017. Holds a bachelor's degree in History from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung.

Football Story

Footballing identity built on geography, heritage, and childhood obsession. Although the father played for a traditional rival club, nine years living in Bandung made Persib a spiritual home, sparked in 2006 by Thai goalkeeper Kosin Hathairattanakool and witnessing firsthand how deeply locals own the club. Globally, the first true love was Ronaldo and Inter Milan, enduring the heartbreak of near-misses during injury-plagued years. With Dutch roots in Rotterdam, making Feyenoord the club of choice, the Netherlands national team has always remained close to the heart, highlighted by the 2010 World Cup final, a live 2013 friendly against Indonesia, and Oranje Indonesia watch parties. Arjen Robben and Giovanni van Bronckhorst remain ultimate favorites, while Football Manager 2005 sparked a lasting admiration for Athletic Bilbao’s philosophy. Outside football, allegiance lies with the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors through icons like Michael Jordan, Derrick Rose, and Stephen Curry.

Areas of Expertise

Areas of expertise span Indonesian football and Liga 1 data insights and unique features, alongside Southeast Asian and East Asian football landscapes covering Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. Additional skills include digital and social media video content creation such as Instagram reels and podcasts, as well as player profiling, feature writing, live broadcasting, interviewing, photography, and multilingual communication in basic français and español .

Favourite Footballing Memory

Combining a passion for backpacking with professional assignments has made it possible to pursue two goals simultaneously. Meeting and interviewing various Indonesian players pursuing careers or currently based abroad, ranging from across Southeast Asia to Europe, has been an absolute privilege and honor. Traveling independently through the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, and Japan to track down and connect with Indonesian players competing abroad remains a truly cherished experience. Crafting interview content with them is a body of work that will always hold a special place in memory.

My All-Time XI

It’s tough to lock down a definitive starting XI, but the non-negotiables are Manuel Neuer or Rogério Ceni in goal; alongside Javier Zanetti, Sergio Ramos, N'Golo Kanté, Toni Kroos, Arjen Robben, Mo Salah, and Zlatan Ibrahimović. Juan Román Riquelme or Michael Laudrup most likely complete the tactical puzzle. While legends like Lothar Matthäus, Zinedine Zidane, and Ronaldo are impossible to overlook, they were left out simply because they feature in everyone else's lineup.

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