Portugal coach Jorge Jesus said on Friday he had expected Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the national team despite their highly publicised rift, but respected the veteran forward’s decision to retire from international football.
Ronaldo, 41, announced on Thursday that he would not play for Portugal again, bringing the curtain down on a record-breaking international career after a bitter end.
“Of course I thought he would come back, of course I thought I would call him up, of course I thought I would speak with him, but you have to respect him,” Jesus told reporters after naming his squad for upcoming Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales.
“He decided that it was the moment to leave the national team.”
Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003 and went on to play a world record 234 times for his country, scoring 146 goals.
But his speed and edge have been blunted with age and he fell out with Jesus at the end of September.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner accused the coach of broken promises after asking him to warm up during a match against Norway without bringing him on. Ronaldo immediately left the team camp and was handed a 30-day suspension and token fine.
He apologised and it was rumoured he intended to return to the Portugal fold, but Ronaldo instead said that he had played his last match for his country.
“Sooner or later it had to happen. He felt it was the best moment to leave, and we have to respect that, while never forgetting what he represented for Portugal,” said Jesus.
The 72-year-old coach, who previously managed Ronaldo at Saudi club Al-Nassr, said the interests of the national team had always been his top priority.
“All my decisions were made with the team in mind,” said Jesus.
“I do not feel guilty in any way about his departure.”
Portugal, who have already secured their place in the Nations League quarter-finals, host Denmark in Braga on November 14 before travelling to Wales three days later.
Jesus handed first call-ups to Monza striker Gustavo Varela, currently Serie A’s leading scorer, and Porto right-back Alberto Costa, while Nuno Mendes and Francisco Conceicao miss out through injury.
Uncapped teenagers Rodrigo Mora and Geovany Quenda return to the squad, as does Club Brugge striker Carlos Forbs, who made his debut last year.
