Jorge Jesus on Cristiano's goodbye: "I don't feel guilty of anything"

Jesus said he expected Ronaldo to return and respects his retirement decision, denying any culpability in their dispute over playing time.

Portugal manager Jorge Jesus held a press conference on Friday addressing Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement from international football. Jesus said he had expected Ronaldo to return to the squad and had planned to call him up, but respects the player's decision to step away. "Sooner or later it had to happen," Jesus said at the Ciudad del Fútbol de Oeiras complex near Lisbon.

Ronaldo, 41, left Portugal's training camp on September 30 after being left on the bench in a match against Norway on September 27. The dispute centred on Jesus having Ronaldo warm up for 30 minutes before not giving him playing time. Ronaldo was suspended for 30 days and fined €255, but announced his retirement via video on Thursday before Jesus could name his squad.

Jesus denied any wrongdoing, saying he made his decision as a coach thinking of the team and Portugal's interests. He noted Ronaldo was scoring goals for Al Nassr and said there is no resentment between them, highlighting the "strong friendship" they built last season in Saudi Arabia. "I don't feel guilty of anything," Jesus stated.