Ronaldo retirement: Jorge Jesus given no prior notice — SkimNews
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- Cristiano Ronaldo announced his international retirement in an Instagram video on Thursday, one day before Portugal’s Nations League squad announcement, after serving a 30-day international-duty suspension that included no national-team games.
- Jorge Jesus said he “found out when we all did,” adding that Ronaldo had given him no prior notice even though he remained on the squad list as the in-form Al-Nassr forward.
- Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal’s camp in September after being told he would not start against Denmark four days later; he later said Jesus had “broken his word,” while accepting that he deserved the punishment.
- Cristiano Ronaldo made his final international appearance in a 1-0 win over Wales in Lisbon, three days before he was an unused substitute against Norway on 27 September.
- Cristiano Ronaldo finished with 146 goals in 234 games for Portugal—both men’s world records—and had helped his country win Euro 2016.
- Jorge Jesus became visibly annoyed when journalists pressed him on the dispute, saying all his decisions were made with the team in mind and that he was “at peace” with the decision.
- Pedro Proenca, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, pledged to honour Ronaldo, saying no tribute would be enough and that Portugal would always be his home.
Why it matters: Portugal’s upcoming Nations League squad proceeds without Ronaldo, whose 146 goals in 234 internationals made him the men’s world record holder. The disclosure also puts the earlier team dispute back in focus: Ronaldo said Jesus broke his word, while Jesus said every selection decision was made with the team in mind.
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