Jorge Jesus says he asked Ronaldo to stay with Portugal
The Portugal coach told Canal 11 he wanted the captain by his side but accepts a retirement decision that is entirely Ronaldo's own.
Jorge Jesus has said he asked Cristiano Ronaldo to carry on with Portugal, though the coach accepts the captain's decision to retire is his alone. Speaking to Canal 11, the Portugal coach said he needed Ronaldo alongside him but had to respect the call.
Ronaldo confirmed on Thursday that he was ending his international career after 23 years. The announcement landed a day before Jorge Jesus was due to name his squad for the UEFA Nations League fixtures against Denmark and in Wales.
Jorge Jesus, who worked with Ronaldo for a year at Al Nassr, said the forward remains a symbol for Portuguese youth and that most of his followers are young. He added that Ronaldo will always be a legend of Portuguese football.
The coach took the national job after Portugal went out in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, and said he had spoken with Ronaldo in September about the 41-year-old's international future. Ronaldo had served a 30-day suspension after leaving the national camp in the previous window following a disagreement with Jorge Jesus.
He apologised to his teammates for that walkout and said he wanted to keep playing for Portugal, but did not do so to Jorge Jesus. His last appearance came on Sept. 24, a 1-0 Nations League win over Wales in Lisbon, before he was an unused substitute for the first time in 18 years in the 2-1 win in Norway on Oct. 4.
Ronaldo leaves as the leading men's international scorer and appearance maker, with 146 goals in 234 games for Portugal. He captained the side to Euro 2016 and to the UEFA Nations League in its first edition and again in 2025.
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