Portugal's national team coach, Jorge Jesus, has described Cristiano Ronaldo as a global icon after the 41-year-old announced his retirement from international football.
Ronaldo announced his retirement in an Instagram post on Thursday, bringing an apparent end to a Portugal career in which he became the country’s all-time leading goalscorer.
The announcement comes weeks after Ronaldo was involved in a dispute with the national team’s coaching staff, raising questions about whether his retirement is linked to the disagreement.
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Ronaldo had reportedly left Portugal’s camp in Copenhagen ahead of a Nations League match against Denmark following a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus.
The tension followed his omission from the starting line-up for an earlier match against Norway. Ronaldo had claimed Jesus broke his word to him twice, but the coach denied making any such arrangement.
The Portuguese Football Federation’s Disciplinary Council subsequently handed the forward a 30-day ban and a €255 fine, ruling that he had deliberately breached the team’s code of conduct.
Ronaldo later expressed regret over leaving the camp without his teammates and failing to acknowledge supporters during the Norway match.
Speaking on Ronaldo's retirement, Jesus said, “Cristiano is a global icon, an example for Portugal and the national team.
“I had a huge photo of him put up in our auditorium so that all the young players could look up to him every single day.
“I asked him to continue with me because I needed him by my side.
“But I have to accept his decision.
“He will always have a place in the hearts of the Portuguese people.
“He will always be an icon of Portuguese football.”
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