Cristiano Ronaldo ends Portugal career after dispute with Jorge Jesus
The 41-year-old forward announced his retirement from international soccer following a walkout from the national team camp last month.
By Samir Patterson ·
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 146 goals in men's international soccer, a record that stood alone until he announced his retirement from national team duty on Nov. 5, 2026. The 41-year-old forward confirmed he has played his last match for Portugal, bringing a close to a 25-year career that included a 2016 UEFA European Championship title. His departure follows a contentious period with coach Jorge Jesus, who managed the team during the UEFA Nations League campaign.
Ronaldo left the national team camp last month after a disagreement with Jesus. The coach insisted there was no major issue but admitted he made mistakes in handling Ronaldo's role during a 2-1 win over Norway on Sept. 27, 2026. Ronaldo was an unused substitute in that match. Despite appearing to reconcile, Ronaldo confirmed his exit on Thursday, wishing his teammates good luck in their upcoming game against Denmark.
The friction with Jesus is part of a long pattern of conflicts between Ronaldo and his managers. Throughout his career, he has clashed with coaches at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. These disputes often centered on playing time, tactical roles, and the transition of his status from primary striker to veteran mentor.
One of the earliest notable incidents occurred in 2008 when Ronaldo supported FIFA president Sepp Blatter's comment that keeping a player against their will was like modern slavery. This was during his attempt to leave Manchester United for Real Madrid. In December of that year, he walked off the pitch mid-game at Old Trafford during a 1-0 win over Sunderland, citing a hip injury. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson defended the move, but the incident signaled a shift in the player's behavior.
At Real Madrid, tensions rose with manager Jose Mourinho in 2013. After a dressing room fight, Mourinho stated that Ronaldo thought he knew everything. The relationship deteriorated further under Rafa Benitez in 2015, who was sacked after just six months. Ronaldo praised his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti highly, calling him an unbelievable person and a fantastic coach, which did not help Benitez's position.
In 2021, Ronaldo was left out of Juventus' Serie A opener before moving back to Manchester United on transfer deadline day. The following year, he threw his coat on the ground after being substituted by interim coach Ralf Rangnick, who switched the team to a back three. Rangnick later called the reaction normal and noted that United went on to win the match 3-1.
Ronaldo's second stint at Manchester United ended in November 2022 after an interview with Piers Morgan. He criticized manager Erik ten Hag and other staff, leading to his departure by mutual agreement. That same year, Portugal coach Fernando Santos dropped him for the World Cup round of 16 match against Switzerland. Santos said the decision was strategic, though Ronaldo's family expressed anger over the omission.
Ronaldo's final chapter with Portugal involved a relatively calm four-year period. He played for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and benefited from the support of previous national team coach Roberto Martinez. Jesus had also managed Ronaldo at Al Nassr before taking the Portugal job. Ronaldo held a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation regarding his decision to step away.
