Portugal FA pledges to honour Cristiano Ronaldo as Jorge Jesus names squad

Portugal has pledged to ‌honour Cristiano Ronaldo as manager Jorge Jesus named his first squad ⁠since the captain’s ⁠international retirement, then faced a barrage of questions about the rift that preceded the departure. The 41-year-old announced his decision to retire on social media on Thursday, ⁠ending a Portugal career spanning 234 appearances and 146 goals.

Portuguese FA president Pedro Proenca promised to celebrate Ronaldo’s contribution, although there was no word on whether the forward ⁠would agree to a farewell appearance. “No tribute will ever be enough to thank him for everything he has done for Portuguese football, for Portugal,” Proenca said before the squad announcement on Friday.

“We will do everything we can to honour the legacy he leaves us. Everything he has ‌done deserves to be honoured and celebrated.” Jesus selected seven new faces, including five players from the under-21s, for November’s Nations League matches against Wales and Denmark, but Ronaldo’s absence from the squad dominated proceedings.