Ronaldo Retired From Portugal After Jorge Jesus Refused to Apologise – Journalist

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly decided to retire from international football after Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus refused to issue a public apology he had demanded, according to Portuguese football journalist Pedro Sepúlveda.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Sepúlveda claimed that Ronaldo wanted an apology from Jesus following their disagreement, but the coach made it clear he would not apologise to any player.

The revelation offers another perspective on the circumstances surrounding the 41-year-old’s decision to end his 23-year international career.

According to Sepúlveda, Jesus and Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença spent the days before Ronaldo’s announcement attempting to persuade the forward to reconsider his decision.

However, their efforts reportedly failed after the disagreement between the player and his coach remained unresolved.

“To be frank, Ronaldo wanted a public apology from Jorge Jesus, while Jesus confirmed that he would never apologise to any player,” Sepúlveda said.

He added that Ronaldo had made his position clear, leaving little possibility of continuing his international career under the current coach.

“Ronaldo wants something, and Jesus has made it clear he will not give it to him. Therefore, Cristiano’s time under Jesus’s management with the Portuguese national team is definitively over,” he said.

Ronaldo officially announced his international retirement on November 5 through a video message, bringing an end to a career that began in August 2003.

He finished with 234 appearances and 146 goals for Portugal, setting men’s international records in both categories.

The announcement followed weeks of tension between the forward and Jesus, including a disagreement that resulted in Ronaldo leaving the national team camp without permission in September.

The Portuguese Football Federation subsequently imposed a 30-day suspension and a fine of €255 on the player.

Ronaldo later acknowledged that leaving the camp was not the best way to handle the situation, while maintaining that Jesus had broken promises.

However, Jesus said he was unaware of Ronaldo’s retirement plans before the announcement became public. Speaking after naming his squad for the upcoming international fixtures, the coach said he had expected to select the forward and respected his decision to retire.

He also maintained that his decisions had always been guided by what he considered best for the team.

Ronaldo’s retirement ends one of the most successful international careers in football history. He captained Portugal to the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 and 2025 UEFA Nations League titles.

Although he has ended his international career, the forward is expected to continue playing club football with Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.