Portugal head coach unaware of Cristiano Ronaldo's international retirement: Details
What's the story
Portugal national football team coach Jorge Jesus has revealed that he was unaware of Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement from international football. The 41-year-old star announced his decision in an Instagram video on Thursday, just a day before Jesus was set to announce the squad for this month's Nations League fixtures. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Jesus said he had no prior knowledge of Ronaldo's decision and was ready to include him in the squad.
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'I found out when we all did'
Jesus said he only came to know about Ronaldo's decision like everyone else. "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."
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I am at peace with my decision, says Jesus
As per BBC Sport, Jesus became visibly annoyed on Friday as journalists pressed him about that dispute. "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."
Suspension details
Ronaldo had left Portugal camp in September
Ronaldo was recently back from a 30-day international duty suspension, a period that did not include any national team games.
He had left the Portugal camp in September after being told he wouldn't start against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League match four days later.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner had claimed that Jesus had "broken his word" but admitted he deserved to be punished for leaving early.
At that time, Ronaldo said he wouldn't retire from international football.
Farewell match
Highest-scoring player in men's international football history
Ronaldo's last international appearance was on September 27 against Norway, where he remained an unused substitute.
His last active game for the national team was a 1-0 victory over Wales in Lisbon three days earlier.
The legendary forward has scored a record 146 goals in 234 matches for Portugal since his debut in 2003, making him the highest-scoring player in men's international football history.
He also led his country to victory at Euro 2016.
Tribute
Pedro Proenca promises to pay tribute to Ronaldo
Pedro Proenca, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation (PFF), has pledged to pay tribute to Ronaldo.
He said, "No tribute will ever be enough to thank him for everything he has done for Portuguese football, for Portugal."
Proenca added that "The best way to honor and celebrate him is to honor his boundless ambition, to always play to win, to never be afraid of being the best in the world."