Jesus's attempt thwarted: surprising behind-the-scenes details of Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to retire from international football

End of a legendary career

A press report on Thursday laid bare the behind-the-scenes details of Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to retire from international football with Portugal.

The Al-Nassr forward and Portugal captain announced the news in stunning fashion, having previously insisted he wanted to carry on.

According to "A Bola", Ronaldo told Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca that he would announce his retirement on social media. He never spoke to coach Jorge Jesus about it.

Ronaldo timed his announcement for the eve of the squad reveal, knowing full well Jesus would call him up for the two UEFA Nations League fixtures.

Jesus had recently gone out of his way to defend him, insisting the forward brought enormous value to the national team and that he would not give up on his number 7. He was set to name him in the squad on Friday.

Aware of all this, and unwilling to return under Jesus, Ronaldo chose to announce his withdrawal before the squad went public so the coach could not pick him. And he did it without a single word between the two men.

The pair have not spoken since the morning of Wednesday 30 September, the day Ronaldo walked out of Portugal's training camp.

That morning, Ronaldo, Jesus and Proenca met. It was the last conversation between player and coach. Nothing has passed between them since, which left Jesus blindsided by the retirement decision.

Neither Jesus nor Proenca wanted it to unfold this way. Neither could talk Ronaldo out of it.