Cristiano Ronaldo: A legacy that will live on forever

"We already had the opportunity to speak before the first squad announcement about this, and I asked him to stay on with me," the manager told Canal 11, stressing that he still counted on the 41-year-old forward, but now had to "accept" his decision.

He added: "He will always remain in the hearts of the Portuguese people, in the national team."

Jesus, who also managed the veteran at Al-Nassr, lauded his remarkable 23-year international career, hailing him as "a global benchmark" and "a symbol for Portuguese youth".

"He will always be a reference point for our national team, for our people, and for our history," he affirmed.

Cristiano Ronaldo announced his definitive retirement from international football on Thursday via a video shared on social media, declaring that "the day has arrived to hand back the national team's number seven shirt".

"The day has come to return the number seven shirt to everyone's national team. I never felt it belonged exclusively to me, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it," he stated.

The Madeira-born forward confirmed his departure just days after the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) Disciplinary Board handed him a 30-day suspension and a €255 fine—the statutory minimum—for walking out on the Portugal camp on 30 September.

Although the forward made no direct mention of Jorge Jesus, persistent friction between the pair has dominated the headlines in Portugal in recent weeks.

Tensions initially flared when Jesus sent Ronaldo to warm up during a clash with Norway in late September, only to leave him an unused substitute.

Days later, the talisman departed the national camp, an act that prompted the disciplinary ban from the federation.