‘I needed him by my side’: Jesus asked Ronaldo to stay but accepts his decision
Jorge Jesus has revealed that he personally urged Cristiano Ronaldo to carry on with Portugal before the forward ended his international career. The coach insists the door was always open, but accepts that the final call belonged to the player.
Ronaldo announced his retirement on Thursday, November 5, closing a 23-year spell in which he became Portugal’s record goalscorer and most-capped player. The 41-year-old finishes with 146 goals in 234 appearances, and he stepped down a day before Jesus was due to name his Nations League squad.
Speaking to Canal 11, Jesus described a conversation held before his first squad announcement, when he tried to persuade the forward to stay.
“I asked him to continue with me because I needed him by my side. But I have to accept his decision.”
He then turned to what Ronaldo represents beyond the pitch, recalling the year they spent together at Al-Nassr and the forward’s pull among younger supporters.
“He will always be a reference for our national team, our people and our history.”
Jesus also revealed a lasting gesture at the headquarters of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
“There is a large picture of him in our auditorium so that all the young people and our colleagues who come here every day can see it.”
The federation, which called Ronaldo an inspirational leader and eternal captain in its statement, wants to stage a farewell worthy of his service. Details of the ceremony have not yet been finalised.
The retirement follows a bitter autumn. Ronaldo was left out of the starting side against Norway, then learned he would be dropped again for the Denmark game. He left the camp in Copenhagen and accused Jesus of breaking a promise.
He later apologised, called for himself to be punished and received a 30-day suspension and a fine. Jesus had said Ronaldo could return but was no longer an automatic starter, a position that appears to have weighed heavily on the forward.
Reports in Portugal claim Ronaldo told FPF president Pedro Proenca of his decision before going public, without first speaking to Jesus. That left the coach losing a player he had wanted to keep.
Ronaldo made his senior debut in August 2003 and captained Portugal to Euro 2016. He added Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025, and in 2026 became the first man to score at six World Cups. He is expected to continue his club career in Saudi Arabia.