Jesus: I feel no guilt toward Ronaldo... I may have hastened his international retirement

Portugal national team manager Jorge Jesus acknowledged the possibility that he may have hastened Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to retire from international football, but he refused to take responsibility for the captain’s departure, insisting that the decision belonged solely to the player and that he felt no guilt toward him. Jesus made these comments on Friday during a press conference at which he announced a 28-player squad in preparation for the UEFA Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales on November 14 and 17, one day after the 41-year-old Ronaldo announced his retirement from international duty.

Jesus confirmed that he had expected Ronaldo to return to the national team and that the player’s name was included in his plans for the upcoming two matches, but he was surprised by the retirement announcement. “Of course, I thought he would return, and I intended to call him up and speak with him, but I must respect his decision. I felt the time had come for him to leave the national team, and that would have happened sooner or later,” he said. He added, “I felt this was the right moment for him to leave, and we must respect that, without forgetting what he has contributed to Portugal and what he still represents for the country. He is a role model for young players who are beginning their careers.”

The Portuguese manager revealed that he learned of the retirement at the same time as the public, saying, “I learned of the decision when everyone else did, after the video and statement he published yesterday. Until that moment, I knew nothing. He was scoring goals and delivering good performances, and he was indeed among the players I intended to call up.” Jesus clarified that he had not been in contact with Ronaldo during his suspension, nor had he tried to reach out to him after the retirement announcement. He stressed that there was no ill will between them, affirming that his previous decisions were made in the best interests of the national team. “I thought he would continue working with us on the UEFA Nations League project. I hold no negative feelings toward him; all my decisions were taken in the team’s interest, and I am at peace with what I have done,” he said.

He concluded, “I would have been prepared for Cristiano’s departure from the national team during the four-year span of my contract. If he had not retired now, he might have done so during another training camp. It was up to him to choose the right timing.”