‘A Portuguese legend’: Jesus’ conciliatory words about Ronaldo

There had recently been serious friction between national team manager Jorge Jesus and Cristiano Ronaldo. Following the superstar’s resignation from the national team, the manager has now chosen conciliatory words.

It was a departure with a real bang: Cristiano Ronaldo accused national team manager Jorge Jesus of breaking his word and left the Portuguese national team’s training camp in early October. The captain was not content with not being in the starting line-up. This was followed by fallout, including a suspension and a subsequent pseudo-ban for CR7.

All in all, it was an undignified final chapter for Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portuguese national team, one that went rather badly for the goal machine. Nevertheless, he will, of course, go down in his country’s history as one of its greatest footballers. Since Thursday, it has been clear that no further matches will be added to his tally of 234 international appearances, as the forward has brought his international career to an end.

There were also conciliatory words from the national team manager as the chapter drew to a close. “That is entirely his decision,” said Jesus on Canal 11. “We had the opportunity to discuss this even before the first call-up. I asked him to carry on, to stay with me, because I needed him by my side, but I have to accept his decision.”

“He is a symbol for Portuguese youth”

Ronaldo is “a global icon, an icon for Portugal, an icon for the national team”, the coach went on to say. “He is a player who has given so much to the national team over the years. He is a symbol of Portuguese youth.” The superstar will “always remain a role model for our national team, our people and our history”.

That is why he has created a visual symbol at the Portuguese national team’s training centre to preserve his legacy. “I had a large picture of him put up there so that all young people – and not just them, but also the colleagues we have in this auditorium every day – always have his example before their eyes,” explained Jesus. Ronaldo will “always remain in the hearts of the Portuguese people and in the national team; there’s no getting round that.”