Cristiano Ronaldo: Jorge Jesus Discloses What He Misses Most About Retired Portugal Captain

Jorge Jesus shared a candid remark about Cristiano Ronaldo following Portugal's first game after the latter retired from international footballJesus' charges suffered a 4-1 defeat to Denmark in their first match without Ronaldo, reigniting debate about the team's futureThe tactician's comments came amid reported tensions between him and Ronaldo over the forward's role in the national sideGhana’s top stories, now easier to find. Discover our new search feature!

Portugal manager Jorge Jesus has opened up about what he misses most about Cristiano Ronaldo since the forward stepped away from international football, with his answer reeking of disrespect.

His response suggested the relationship between the two remains estranged.

Kim Lars Björkegren speaks on becoming Ghana Black Stars permanent coach

Jesus' remarks also arrive in the context of a reported rift between the manager and Ronaldo over the forward's role in the squad.

Reports had indicated that Ronaldo was left out of the starting line-up against Norway, a decision that contributed to the eventual breakdown in his relationship with the national setup and his subsequent retirement.

Despite the circumstances surrounding his exit, Ronaldo's record and his list of honours with Portugal stand as a testament to an extraordinary international career that the country will struggle to replicate.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner announced his retirement from international duty on November 5, bringing the curtain down on a 23-year career with the Portuguese national team.

He finishes as the highest-scoring player in men's international football history, with 146 goals across 234 appearances, according to data culled from Transfermarkt.

Black Stars: Jonas Adjetey shares emotional reaction after scoring against Somalia

During his tenure, he captained Portugal to victory at Euro 2016 and to UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.

Before kick-off in Portugal's first post-Ronaldo fixture, players wore shirts bearing his iconic number seven, and supporters displayed tributes in recognition of his contribution to Portuguese football.

Watch how Portugal honoured Ronaldo before the loss to Denmark, as shared on X:

The match itself turned into a difficult evening for Portugal, who were beaten 4-1 by Denmark in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday, November 14, at the Estádio Municipal de Braga.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Rasmus Højlund, who scored twice, and Joachim Andersen were all on the scoresheet for the visitors, with Bernardo Silva providing a late consolation for the hosts.

The heavy defeat intensified scrutiny over how Portugal will replace a generational talent whose output defined their national team for more than two decades.

Somalia captain sends warning to Ghana ahead of AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the Portuguese Football Federation had introduced a symbolic redesign of the No. 7 shirt to honour Cristiano Ronaldo following his international retirement.

Although football regulations prevent Portugal from permanently retiring the number, the federation has found a special way to preserve the captain's legacy.

Don't miss out! Get your daily dose of sports news straight to your phone. Join YEN's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now!

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe (Sports Editor) Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a CAF-accredited journalist with over five years of experience in digital journalism. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Rural Arts and Industry (2016). Godwin’s career includes covering the 2023 AFCON and grassroots competitions within Ghana. He has also served as a Presenter at VNTV, a Sports Analyst at Obonu FM, and a Football Writer for a myriad of sports websites. He joined Yen.com.gh in 2024 to cover sports. Email: godwin.tagoe@yen.com.gh.