Portuguese football legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, has reportedly retired from international football following a breakdown in his relationship with national team coach, Jorge Jesus.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains Portugal’s highest goalscorer, bows out with an impressive record of 146 goals in 232 appearances for his country.
Ronaldo’s international career also featured a major triumph in 2016 when he helped Portugal win the European Championship, one of the country’s biggest achievements in football.
His reported departure followed a disagreement with Jesus during the last international break, which saw him leave the national team’s training camp after being left out of the squad that defeated Norway 2-1 in a Nations League encounter.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star reportedly headed straight into the dressing room after the final whistle in Oslo without joining his teammates to acknowledge supporters who had travelled to watch the match.
His conduct subsequently attracted disciplinary action, with Portugal handing him a suspension from international duty and imposing a fine following an explanation of his decision to leave the camp.
The disagreement reportedly deepened after Ronaldo accused Jesus of going back on an agreement that he would feature as a substitute against Norway. He claimed he had started warming up in anticipation of an appearance before the coach changed his decision.
The development marks a dramatic end to the international career of one of football’s most decorated players, whose goalscoring exploits and achievements have made him a defining figure in Portugal’s football history.
