Jorge Jesus says he learned about Cristiano Ronaldo's international retirement the same way everybody else did: from the internet. The Portugal head coach faced the press on Friday, a day after Ronaldo's Instagram video, and made it clear he had no warning and, until that moment, still planned to pick him.
"I found out when we all did"
Ronaldo, 41, posted his announcement on Thursday, the day before Jesus was due to name his squad for this month's Nations League games. "I found out when we all did," Jesus said. "Until then, I knew nothing about it. He was playing, he was scoring goals; he was one of the players on my squad list." The in-form Al-Nassr forward had just finished a 30-day suspension from international duty, a period that contained no national team matches, so he was available again.
The row that never really went away
The backdrop matters. Ronaldo left the Portugal camp in September after being told he would not start the Nations League game against Denmark four days later. He later said Jesus had "broken his word", although he accepted he deserved to be punished for walking out, and he insisted at the time that he was not retiring. Jesus, who coached him at Al-Nassr last season, looked visibly annoyed on Friday when reporters kept pressing him on it. "All my decisions were made with the team in mind," he said. "As a manager, I have always defended what was best for the team. I am at peace with my decision."
Jesus also said he has not contacted Ronaldo since the announcement.
An unfinished ending, and a tribute
Ronaldo was an unused substitute against Norway on 27 September, so his last appearance for Portugal came three days earlier, a 1-0 win over Wales in Lisbon. That left him with 146 goals in 234 games, both men's world records, since his debut in 2003. He also helped Portugal win Euro 2016.
The Portuguese Football Federation was quick to say thank you. President Pedro Proenca said "no tribute will ever be enough to thank him for everything he has done for Portuguese football", and added: "Thank you for everything, captain. This is and always will be your home." Whether Ronaldo and Jesus ever speak about how it ended is another matter.
Context: Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, plays for Al-Nassr. International record: 146 goals in 234 games for Portugal (both men’s world records), debut 2003, Euro 2016 winner. Last appearance: 1-0 win over Wales in Lisbon. Portugal coach: Jorge Jesus.
0 Comments