Portugal coach says Ronaldo gave no warning of international retirement

Portugal coach Jorge Jesus says Cristiano Ronaldo did not tell him he was retiring from international football, and that he had planned to include the forward in his squad for this month’s Nations League matches.

“I found out when we all did,” Jesus said at a news conference on Friday. “Until then, I knew nothing about it.” He said Ronaldo had been playing and scoring goals and was on his squad list.

Ronaldo announced his retirement in an Instagram video on Thursday, a day before Jesus was due to name his squad. The 41-year-old had been available again after serving a 30-day suspension from international duty. The suspension did not cover any Portugal matches.

Jesus was pressed about his earlier dispute with Ronaldo, who left Portugal’s camp in September after learning he would not start against Denmark. Ronaldo later accused the coach of breaking his word, while accepting that he deserved punishment for leaving early. Jesus said on Friday that his decisions had been made with the team in mind and that he was at peace with them.

Ronaldo’s final international appearance was Portugal’s 1–0 win over Wales in Lisbon on 24 September. He was an unused substitute against Norway three days later. His record for Portugal stands at 146 goals in 234 appearances, both men’s international records, according to BBC Sport.

Jesus said he had not contacted Ronaldo since the announcement. Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença said the federation would honour him, adding: “This is and always will be your home.”