Portuguese federation promises to honour Ronaldo after international retirement
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on SABC News
The president of the Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Proença, promised to honour Cristiano Ronaldo, who announced his international retirement on Thursday, saying that "no tribute will ever be enough" for his career. Manager Jorge Jesus unveiled a list of seven new players, including five prospects, for the Nations League matches against Wales and Denmark, according to SABC.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) promised on Friday to honour Cristiano Ronaldo after the announcement of his international retirement, its president Pedro Proença said, at the presentation of manager Jorge Jesus's first squad since the captain's departure. "No tribute will ever be enough to thank him for everything he has done for Portuguese football," Proença said before the squad announcement, according to SABC News.
Ronaldo, 41, announced his decision on social media on Thursday, ending an international career of 234 caps and 146 goals. Jorge Jesus called up seven new players, including five from the under-21s, for the November Nations League matches against Wales and Denmark, but Ronaldo's absence dominated the press conference. The forward had left the Portugal camp without permission at the end of September, before a match against Denmark, and had not returned, citing broken promises from the manager.
Irritated by journalists' questions about the dispute, Jorge Jesus repeated that he wanted to talk about his choices. "All my decisions were taken with the team in mind. I am at peace with my decision," he said, assuring that he had only learned of the retirement at the time of the announcement and had not contacted Ronaldo since.
The exit follows the announcement of Ronaldo's retirement on 5 November, then tributes from Luis Figo and the president of the Portuguese Republic, and the designation of Bernardo Silva as the new captain.
