Cristiano Ronaldo’s long association with the Portugal national team could be coming to an end after the 41-year-old reportedly decided to retire from international football following a dispute with new head coach Jorge Jesus.
Portuguese newspaper O Jogo reported that Ronaldo’s decision is final, bringing a potential conclusion to a national-team career that has spanned more than two decades. The report emerged after the Portugal captain abruptly left the team’s training camp in Copenhagen ahead of the Nations League meeting with Denmark.
Ronaldo confirmed his departure in a statement, saying he had made the decision after speaking with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença. He added that he would explain the reasons behind his decision to Portuguese supporters “in due course” and wished the team and his teammates success.
The latest development follows growing tension between the veteran forward and Jesus. Ronaldo was left on the bench for the entirety of Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway, with Jesus choosing not to introduce him during the match. The coach had previously stressed that selection decisions would be based on his judgment rather than a player’s reputation.
The situation intensified in the days that followed. Ronaldo trained separately from the squad and worked in the gym, while Portuguese media reported that he was unhappy with the handling of his role. Jesus later said Ronaldo would not start against Denmark, shortly before the forward announced his decision to leave camp.
If O Jogo’s retirement report is confirmed, Portugal will lose the most-capped player and leading goalscorer in its history. Ronaldo has made 234 appearances for the national team and scored 146 goals. He also helped Portugal win the 2016 European Championship, the country’s first major international title.
His international career began in 2003 and has covered several generations of Portuguese football. He has remained a central figure for the national team through multiple tournaments and coaching changes.
For now, however, the Portuguese Football Federation has not formally announced Ronaldo’s retirement. His statement confirmed that he left the current camp, but did not explicitly state that he had permanently retired from international football.
If the reported retirement stands, Ronaldo’s departure would mark the end of one of the longest and most decorated international careers in modern football.
