Portugal pledge to honour Christiano Ronaldo

Portugal announced on Friday their intention to honor the legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo, the country's former national team captain, following his retirement from international football. Manager Jorge Jesus unveiled the first squad of his tenure, which includes seven new players, but Ronaldo's departure was the focal point of the announcement. Ronaldo, 41, made his decision public on social media earlier in the week, ending a distinguished career marked by 234 appearances and 146 goals for Portugal.

In his place, Jesus fielded questions about the tensions that led to Ronaldo's departure. The manager maintained a calm demeanor as reporters probed him about the rift, emphasizing his focus on the team's best interests. Ronaldo cited a lack of communication and broken promises as the primary reasons for his decision. Despite his verbal disapproval, Jesus clarified that he remained unaware of Ronaldo's plans until the latter's announcement, and the two had not spoken since then.

Portuguese FA president Pedro Proença praised Ronaldo's contribution to the country's football, vowing to celebrate his achievements. Proença envisioned nurtured his ambition and commitment to excellence for years, and he urged everyone to honor Ronaldo's spirit by striving for greatness. Ronaldo officially retired on November 5, 2026, signaling the end of an era in Portuguese soccer history.