Unanswered messages from Jorge Jesus, isolation in Saudi Arabia... Inside Cristiano Ronaldo's international retirement

Ronaldo announced his international retirement after a month-long rift with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus, ignoring his messages and spending weeks isolated in Saudi Arabia before the decision.

Cristiano Ronaldo ended his 23-year international career on Thursday with a five-minute video announcement, but the decision was rooted in deep frustration with new Portugal manager Jorge Jesus. The conflict began in September during Jesus's first camp, when Ronaldo was upset at being left on the bench after warming up in a match against Norway. It escalated when Jesus held a press conference before a Denmark fixture reaffirming his authority without offering the apology Ronaldo expected. Though Ronaldo later apologized and said he would remain available, he had been brooding over the situation for weeks. Isolated in Saudi Arabia for the past month away from his family, he ultimately decided to retire. He informed Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença of his choice but did not tell Jesus directly, instead announcing it publicly the day before the manager was set to name his squad. Ronaldo ignored all of Jesus's messages after leaving the September camp. Jesus responded diplomatically, saying he had asked Ronaldo to stay but respected his decision, and revealed he had hung a large photo of the 41-year-old in the team auditorium as a permanent tribute.