World · Singapore Bureau
Portugal vows to honour Ronaldo as Jesus unveils first squad
Portugal's football federation pledged Friday to pay tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo following his international retirement, as new manager Jorge Jesus announced his maiden squad selection and fielded questions about the circumstances surrounding the captain's departure.
LSN Singapore ·
The Portuguese Football Federation said it would find an appropriate way to recognise Ronaldo's storied 20-year international career, which came to an end this week after the veteran forward's contract with Al Nassr prompted his decision to step back from the national team.
Jesus, appointed to replace Fernando Santos, named his first Portugal squad in Lisbon on Friday without the 39-year-old Ronaldo, who had been a fixture in the team since 2003. The manager's announcement prompted considerable media scrutiny over the circumstances of Ronaldo's exit and the reported tensions that preceded it.
The federation said it was committed to ensuring Ronaldo's legacy would be appropriately honoured, though specific details of any tribute remain under discussion. The exact nature of the rift that led to his retirement has remained somewhat opaque, with conflicting accounts emerging in recent days.
Jesus faces the significant task of rebuilding the squad around new leadership structures as Portugal prepares for upcoming international fixtures. The transition marks a notable generational shift for the national team, which won the European Championship in 2016 with Ronaldo as captain.