Portuguese football analyst Pedro Sepúlveda has offered an explanation for Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to end his international career, claiming that the disagreement between the former Portugal captain and head coach Jorge Jesus played a major role in the development.
According to Sepúlveda, Ronaldo wanted Jesus to issue a public apology following their disagreement, but the coach was unwilling to do so. The journalist told talkSPORT that the absence of an apology contributed to the 41-year-old’s decision to bring his long international career to an end.
Sepúlveda also disclosed that Jesus and Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença had spent several days attempting to convince Ronaldo to reconsider his position before he made the announcement. Their efforts, however, did not change the forward’s mind.
Ronaldo confirmed his retirement in a video message released last Thursday. His departure brings an end to a remarkable international career in which he made 234 appearances for Portugal and scored 146 goals, a record tally in men’s international football. He also returned the iconic number seven shirt following his announcement.
The disagreement between Ronaldo and Jesus reportedly developed during the September and October international window. Sepúlveda suggested that the situation reached a point where the relationship between the player and the coach could no longer continue in its previous form.
Speaking about the matter, the Portuguese football expert said Ronaldo had specifically wanted a public apology from the national team manager, while Jesus had made his position clear that he would not apologise to a player.
“To be frank, Ronaldo wanted a public apology from Jorge Jesus, while Jesus confirmed that he would never apologize to any player,” Sepúlveda said.
He further explained that the disagreement had effectively brought Ronaldo’s time under Jesus as Portugal coach to an end.
“Ronaldo wants something, and Jesus has made it clear he will not give it to him. Therefore, Cristiano’s time under Jesus’s management with the Portuguese national team is definitively over,” he added.
Sepúlveda’s comments suggest that the unresolved dispute was a significant factor behind the retirement announcement. However, the explanation remains the football expert’s account of the situation, while Ronaldo’s announcement formally confirmed his decision to end his involvement with the national team.
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