I wanted to keep Ronaldo in the team, says Portugal coach Jorge Jesus

Cristiano Ronaldo's announcement of his retirement from international football has ended his 23-year journey in the Portugal shirt. At the moment of his farewell, coach Jorge Jesus, who had been in discussion over a strained relationship with him, has spoken out; he said he had wanted to keep Ronaldo in the national team.

In an interview with Portuguese television channel Canal 11, Jesus said they had a chance to talk before the first squad announcement and that he had requested Ronaldo to continue playing for Portugal, because he badly needed an experienced player like Ronaldo beside him. Jesus said he had nevertheless accepted Ronaldo's personal decision out of respect for it.

Jesus also expressed respect and praise for Ronaldo after his farewell. In his view, Ronaldo's contribution to the national team is outstanding and he will remain a symbol of inspiration for the younger generation. Jesus said Ronaldo is an icon of world football and a symbol of Portugal and the national team; he has given the national team a great deal over so many years and most of his supporters are young people.

Jesus also recalled the experience of working together for a year at Al Nassr. The coach said that, to honour Ronaldo, he has arranged for a large photograph of him to be kept in the auditorium of the Portuguese Football Federation, so that young players in the national team can draw inspiration every day from his career and achievements.

The relationship between Jesus and Ronaldo had, however, been far from comfortable in recent times. During the international break last September, Ronaldo did not get a place in the starting eleven for the match against Norway and was not brought on as a substitute either. After that, before the match against Denmark, the Portuguese captain left the team camp in Copenhagen and also accused the coach of breaking a promise.

For leaving the camp, the Portuguese Football Federation banned Ronaldo for 30 days and also fined him.

In the end, Jesus has accepted Ronaldo's decision. The farewell of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who scored 146 goals in 234 matches for the national team, brings a long chapter for Portugal to a close. After making his debut in 2003, he played an important role in winning the European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.