Ronaldo Retires From Portugal, and Coach Says He Learned It Like Everyone Else

Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football, and Portugal's coach says he heard the news at the same time as the public.

Ronaldo announced the decision in an Instagram video on Thursday. Jorge Jesus, the Portugal coach, was due to name his squad for this month's Nations League games the next day. The Nations League is a competition between national teams, played during short "international breaks" when players return from their clubs.

Speaking at a press conference, Jesus said he "found out when we all did." He added: "Until then, I knew nothing about it." BBC Sport reported that Ronaldo gave him no advance notice, and that he had not been in touch with the player since the announcement.

Jesus said he does not know why Ronaldo stopped playing for his country. He also said he would have picked the forward for the squad. He pointed out that Ronaldo was still playing and still scoring, and was on his list of players. Goal carried his remarks from the same press conference.

Reuters and ESPN reported on Thursday that the retirement followed a falling out between the player and the coach. Jesus's own account is that he was not told in advance.

The numbers behind the decision are large. Ronaldo scored 146 goals in 234 matches for Portugal after making his debut in 2003. His last appearance was a 1-0 win over Wales in Lisbon. On 27 September, he was an unused substitute in the game against Norway.

Portugal have pledged to honour him, as Jesus named his first squad without the player who has been the face of the team for more than twenty years. The Star covered the squad announcement and the pledge.

For many fans, the sense of an era ending is strongest in moments like this. A player who has spent most of his career chasing records is stepping away from the national shirt, and the people who work closest with him are still trying to take it in. Jesus is now picking a team in the middle of that uncertainty.