Portugal coach Jorge Jesus admits he expected Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the national team despite their public fallout, revealing he had planned to recall the Al-Nassr forward before the 41-year-old announced his international retirement.Jorge Jesus and Cristiano Ronaldo were together at Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team. Portugal coach Jorge Jesus admitted that he had expected Cristiano Ronaldo to continue playing international football despite their recent public falling out, revealing that he had intended to recall the veteran forward before the 41-year-old announced his retirement from the national team."I thought he would return.
I certainly intended to call him up," Jesus said on Friday while announcing Portugal's squad for the Nations League, a day after Ronaldo confirmed that he was bringing an end to his illustrious international career.Jesus said Ronaldo's decision had to be respected, while acknowledging the forward's immense contribution to Portuguese football and his influence on younger generations."He felt that this was the right moment to leave, and that must be respected. We can never overlook what he has meant to Portugal, what he has contributed to the country, or the fact that he serves as a symbol for younger players," he added.
PUBLIC FALLING OUTRonaldo's final appearance for Portugal came in their 1-0 home victory over Wales on September 24 in the Nations League. However, his relationship with Jesus subsequently came under strain after the forward was left on the bench for the next match.Jesus also indicated that he did not intend to start Ronaldo in the following fixture, prompting the Al-Nassr forward to leave Portugal's training camp.
Ronaldo later apologised for his actions, but the Portuguese Football Federation fined him and imposed a 30-day suspension. On Thursday, Ronaldo announced his international retirement through a lengthy video shared on his social media accounts, bringing an end to a career that spanned more than two decades."The day has come for me to hand back the No.
7 shirt of our national team," Ronaldo said.RECORD-BREAKING CAREERAlthough his international journey is over, Ronaldo will continue playing at club level in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr. The forward is also closing in on the landmark of 1,000 career goals, having scored 985 so far.His international tally stands at a men's record 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal.
Ronaldo represented his country at six World Cups and was instrumental in their 2016 European Championship triumph.The Portuguese Football Federation has announced plans to organise a tribute for the departing icon. Portugal will host Denmark in Braga on November 14 before travelling to Cardiff to face Wales three days later.
They have already secured qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals.JESUS DEFENDS DECISIONSJesus, who took charge of Portugal following Roberto Martinez's departure after a disappointing World Cup campaign, faced several questions about Ronaldo during Friday's press conference, despite wanting the focus to remain on his squad.The coach also dismissed suggestions that the episode had left him with any personal resentment towards the Portugal captain, insisting that his decisions were always guided by the team's interests."As for any hard feelings? There are none.
Why? Because all of my decisions were made with the team in mind," Jesus said.He added that he remained comfortable with how he had handled the situation, maintaining that his responsibility as Portugal coach was to make decisions he believed were best for the collective.
Ronaldo's departure now brings a historic chapter in Portuguese football to a close, with the federation preparing to honour one of the country's greatest sporting figures.- Ends