Portugal vow to honour Ronaldo after his retirement, farewell match unclear

Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football, and Portugal's federation says it will give him the send-off he deserves. What that looks like is still a mystery.

The day after the announcement, federation president Pedro Proença promised a tribute. He did not say what form it would take, or whether it would include a farewell match.

What did the federation say?

Speaking before the squad announcement on Friday, Proença was blunt about the scale of the task. "No tribute will ever be enough to thank Ronaldo for everything he has given to Portuguese football and to Portugal," he said.

He added that the federation would do its best to honour the legacy he leaves behind. In his view, the best way to celebrate Ronaldo is to celebrate his limitless ambition: always playing to win, and never being afraid to be the best in the world.

Proença ended with a direct message: "Thank you for everything, captain. This is your home, and it always will be."

Where does Jorge Jesus fit in?

Ronaldo, 41, announced his decision on Thursday on social media. He finishes with 234 caps and 146 goals for Portugal.

At Friday's press conference, coach Jorge Jesus faced question after question about whether their row played a part. Back in September, Ronaldo left the squad before the Denmark game after a dispute over not playing against Norway. He later accused Jesus of not keeping promises to explain what had happened.

Jesus said he made every decision with the team's interest in mind and is "completely comfortable" with them. He said he had no idea Ronaldo was about to retire and was as surprised as fans and the media. He had still counted on Ronaldo for the next two Nations League matches, especially as the striker keeps scoring for Inter Miami in the US.

He has not spoken to Ronaldo since the announcement, he said, and there is no hostility between them. He does not feel guilty, although he admitted his decisions might have sped up the timing. In his view, Ronaldo knew the end was near, and the moment to go was his alone to choose.

What's next?

Portugal now name their first squad without their longtime captain, with two Nations League games ahead. Whether Ronaldo will agree to a farewell match is not yet clear, and the federation has given no details of its plans.