Jorge Jesus’ fall-out with Cristiano Ronaldo may have influenced the striker’s decision to retire from international football but the Portugal boss insists he tried to persuade the 41-year-old to change his mind.

Ronaldo announced on Thursday that he had quit the international arena after a glittering career that has seen him establish world records for the number of appearances (234) and goals (146).

He departed on a sour note having walked out on the Portugal squad on the eve of their Nations League game against Denmark in September after claiming Jesus had gone back on his word and left him on the bench for the clash with Norway.

Ronaldo was fined €255 and given a 30-day ban by the Portuguese Football Federation but was still expected to be named in the squad for the upcoming games with Denmark and Wales.

It was all Ronaldo’s decision – Jesus

Jesus said he had spoken to the Al-Nassr striker but was unable to persuade him to reverse his decision.

The Portugal boss told Channel 11: “All this is his decision. We had the opportunity to talk about it. I asked him to continue, to continue with me because I needed him to be next to me, but I have to accept his decision.”

Ronaldo’s announcement has prompted a wave of tributes to a player who helped his country win Euro 2016 and two Nations League crowns.

Jesus added: “He is a world reference, a reference of Portugal, a reference of the National Team, of our people, of our history. He is a player who over the years has given a lot to the National Team. He is a symbol for the Portuguese youth. Most of his fans are young.

“In fact, I had a large image of him put in the auditorium so that his presence is always there for the young people.”

It was not an easy decision, but from the heart – Ronaldo

Ronaldo’s announcement came of the blue and just before Jesus was due to name his next squad.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star said in a video posted on Instagram and X: “The day has come back for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team. 

“I never felt it belonged to me alone. But for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it, and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world.

“Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision. Because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart.

“A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end. When I look back at everything with the national team, I don’t just see the matches, goals, records or trophies.

“I see people. I see the Portuguese people living abroad who, for 90 minutes, felt a little closer to home. I see millions of Portuguese people I have never met but who became part of my life. Because at the end of the day, football is so much bigger than a game. Football is about people.”

I made mistakes, admits Ronaldo

He added: “Throughout my entire career with the national team I always pushed myself beyond my limits. I wanted to win, I wanted to be better, I wanted to make history. I always demanded the most of myself. I always wanted more. I always believed we could go further. And I gave everything I had for this shirt.

“There were perfect afternoons and nights. There were victories I will never forget. There were defeats that still hurt to remember.

“I made mistakes. I suffered. There were also moments when I couldn’t give the Portuguese people what they so desperately wanted. But I never gave up. And above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.

“Over the years, I learned a few very simple things: Goals fade. Trophies end up in museums. Records are eventually broken. But there is something that time can never erase: the place we hold in people’s hearts. If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you embrace someone, forget a worry, or feel proud of your country, then it was all worth it. Because being Portuguese is also about this. We suffer together. We rise together. We believe again.

“Portugal will always need young people who dare to dream. Players who never give up. New generations who believe it is possible to go where no one has gone before. Because a country that keeps creating new heroes is a country that never stops believing in itself.”