Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has stated that he has no regrets regarding his handling of the recent fallout with Cristiano Ronaldo. The comments come after the five-time Ballon d'Or winner officially announced his retirement from international football on Thursday.
The tension between the two figures escalated in October when Ronaldo left the national team camp following a Nations League match against Croatia. During that 90-minute clash, Jesus had kept the 41-year-old striker on the bench for the entire duration of the game.
Following the incident, the Portugal Football Federation (PFF) imposed a suspension and a fine on Ronaldo. Although the striker was eligible to return for Portugal’s matches in November, he chose to step away from international duty instead.
When asked about the breakdown in their relationship, Jesus maintained that his actions were driven by his role as a manager. He emphasized that he prioritized the collective needs of the squad over individual preferences.
“I wouldn't change anything, absolutely nothing,” Jesus said. “I made a decision as a coach, putting the interests of my team and the Portuguese national team first.”
The head coach further insisted that he bears no responsibility for the subsequent events, stating, “I'm convinced that I didn't do anything to cause what happened.”
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
