He thought he would be back: Portugal coach on Cristiano Ronaldo’s national team retirement
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has admitted he expected Cristiano Ronaldo to continue in international football despite their recent public embarrassment and revealed he had intended to recall the experienced striker before the 41-year-old announced his retirement from the national team.
“I thought he would come back. I definitely intended to call him,” Jesus said on Friday as he announced Portugal’s Nations League squad a day later. Ronaldo has confirmed that he is ending his illustrious international career.
Jesus said Ronaldo’s decision must be respected, while acknowledging the striker’s huge contribution to Portuguese football and his influence on younger generations.
“He felt that this was the right moment to leave and that has to be respected. We can never overlook what he meant to Portugal, what he contributed to the country or the fact that he serves as a symbol for younger players,” he added.
THE PUBLIC LOOKS
Ronaldo last featured for Portugal in a 1-0 win over Wales on September 24 in the Nations League. However, his relationship with Jesus subsequently came under pressure after the forward was left on the bench for the next game.
Jesus also indicated that he has no intention of starting Ronaldo in the following fixture, prompting the Al-Nassr striker to leave Portugal’s training camp. Ronaldo later apologized for his actions, but was fined and suspended for 30 days by the Portuguese Football Federation.
On Thursday, Ronaldo announced his international retirement through a lengthy video shared on his social media accounts, ending a career that spanned more than two decades.
“The day has come when I have to return the No. 7 jersey of our national team,” Ronaldo said.
A RECORDING CAREER
Although his international tour is over, Ronaldo will continue to play at club level in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr. The forward is also closing in on the 1,000 career goal mark, having scored 985 so far.
His international tally stands at a men’s record of 146 goals in 234 games for Portugal. Ronaldo has represented his country at six World Cups and was involved in their triumph at the European Championship in 2016.
The Portuguese Football Federation has announced plans to hold a tribute to the departing icon. Portugal host Denmark in Braga on November 14 before traveling to Cardiff to face Wales three days later. They have already secured qualification to the quarter-finals of the Nations League.
JESUS defends the decision
Jesus, who took charge of Portugal following the departure of Roberto Martinez following a disappointing World Cup campaign, faced several questions about Ronaldo during a press conference on Friday, despite wanting to focus on his team.
The coach also dismissed suggestions that the episode left him with any personal grudge against the Portugal captain, insisting that his decisions were always guided by the interests of the team.
“As for any hard feelings? There aren’t any. Why? Because all my decisions were made with the team in mind,” Jesus said.
He added that he was happy with the way he handled the situation and claimed that it was his responsibility as Portugal coach to make the decisions he thought were best for the team. With Ronaldo’s departure, the historical chapter of Portuguese football is now closed, the federation is preparing to pay tribute to one of the country’s greatest sports figures.
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