Mourinho expects the future to ensure a distinct farewell for Cristiano

Cristiano Ronaldo announced his departure from the National Team this Thursday, one day before Jorge Jesus' call-up. This decision comes amidst all the controversy involving the captain and the national coach.

Despite still serving a suspension for abandoning the training camp, Cristiano used social media to formally communicate his intention to leave the Portuguese group. The announcement generated various reactions among followers and football observers.

The world of football is witnessing the end of an era: Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his departure from international football. This outstanding athlete, who is now 41 years old, represented Portugal for 23 years, and will no longer play for his country.

Throughout his career for Portugal, Ronaldo scored 146 goals in 234 matches. He is the player with the most goals and most appearances in men's international football. He played a key role in Portugal winning the European Championship title in 2016. After an international break in November, Ronaldo will say goodbye to the national number 7 jersey.

Ronaldo debuted for Portugal in 2003, when he was only an 18-year-old player. He soon became one of the most important players for the team, and later its captain. Many records were set during his career that are extremely difficult for any other athlete to break.

He played 234 games for Portugal, scoring 146 goals, and remains the record holder for goals in men's international football. His resume also includes a record of six World Cup participations. He represented Portugal at the FIFA World Cups in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026.

Among the main achievements of his career is the victory at the 2016 European Championship. In the final of this tournament, held in France, Portugal became a European champion for the first time, defeating the hosts 1-0. Although Ronaldo could not play the entire match due to injury, his contribution as captain was extremely important. Following this, Portugal also won the UEFA Nations League title in 2019 and 2025.

Ronaldo announced his decision through an emotional video message on social media. He mentioned the Portuguese number 7 jersey, stating that it was time to return it. According to Ronaldo, wearing this jersey for 23 years was a matter of pride and responsibility for him. He emphasized that he never considered this jersey solely his; it is a symbol of Portugal and its people. Representing the country for such a long time was a special honor for him.

In his message, he noted that it was time to pass this responsibility to the next generation. Ronaldo also assured that Portugal would always remain in his heart. Despite his international career coming to an end, his journey in club football will continue. He currently plays for the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo's decision comes amid reports of disagreements between him and the head coach of Portugal, Jorge Jesus. The conflict began during the Nations League match against Norway. In the game held on September 27th in Oslo, Portugal won 2-1, but Ronaldo was not given the opportunity to play for the entire match.

After the game, Ronaldo went directly to the locker room without stopping on the field to greet the fans with his teammates. He then left the Portuguese training camp. This incident sparked active speculation regarding his future with the national team.

After leaving the training camp, Ronaldo published a statement of about 2000 words expressing his dissatisfaction. He claimed that coach Jorge Jesus had promised to field him as a substitute in the match against Norway. Based on this trust, he started warming up, but the coach later changed his mind. Ronaldo perceived this as a breach of trust. He also stated that the coach's words in private conversations differed from his position at the press conference.

Nevertheless, Jorge Jesus responded to this dispute, stating that he had developed a plan for Ronaldo, which the player accepted. He admitted that his mistake was not fielding Ronaldo after the warm-up before the match against Norway. Subsequently, the Portuguese Football Federation applied disciplinary measures against Ronaldo. He was suspended for 30 days and fined. Ronaldo apologized to the fans for his behavior and agreed to accept the punishment.

Leaving international football does not mean Ronaldo stops playing. He will continue to play in club football for Al-Nassr. One of his big goals is to score 1000 goals in his career. The era of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is considered one of the most discussed in football history. The records set by Ronaldo in his international career will be discussed for a long time. Replacing him in the Portugal national team will now be difficult. CR7 decided to say goodbye to the national team with 146 goals, 234 matches, and many major trophies.

Real's coach Jose Mourinho stated that it is unfair to compare his team with Spanish champions Barcelona ahead of Sunday's El Clásico match in La Liga.

Hansi Flick's team has won the La Liga title two years in a row and leads the top division, remaining undefeated. Mourinho arrived at the club after Real had not won a major trophy for two seasons. The situation changed slightly after Barca suffered its first defeat of the season against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, while Real won its last four matches.

At the time of the meeting at Camp Nou, Real was in third place in La Liga, six points behind Barcelona. 'I think people who thought a week ago that Barça would crush us will continue to think so,' Mourinho noted on Saturday. 'I don't think that just because of the game in Paris or Madrid's victory over Leipzig (4:1) they will change their minds.'

Mourinho emphasized that he has only been in charge for a few months, unlike Flick, who took over Barcelona in 2024. He continued: 'People look at us as a finished product, but finished products in football are complex because they are never finished... but they look at us as if we are at an advanced stage of the process.'

The coach explained that the team has been working for three months. He specified: 'From this, we can distinguish the preseason when players returned from the World Cup, and the recent international break; then we were together for a month and a half, two months... This is the beginning of the product; we are in the initial phase where the coach learns, analyzes, gradually defines paths, and the players study the coach... I consider it unfair to compare a team in such a state (with more established teams). '

Mourinho also stated that form does not matter in the context of El Clásico. 'We were in good momentum, winning matches, playing well, scoring goals, but in El Clásico, what you did before doesn't matter; it doesn't affect it,' he said. 'El Clásico is unique; usually the whole football world stops to watch it. I hope it will be a great game. And we will win.'

Mourinho added that he does not plan to change his plans regarding the attempt to stop Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal. The 19-year-old Spanish national team player is in excellent form and hopes to win the Ballon d'Or on Monday. 'He is a great player, and great players are respected,' Mourinho added. 'One thing is to respect; another is to change plans, structures, forget one's essence. We will not do that, neither for him nor for any other high-class player we face.'

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick confirmed that Jules Kounde is still injured and will not be able to play in the match, along with Dani Olmo, Eric Garcia, and Andreas Christensen. The German coach expressed anticipation to see a Real team that arrives 'with greater confidence' and highly praised his opponent Mourinho. 'I have the highest respect. When you manage teams of this level for many years and always achieve success, it is a matter of quality; he has shown it in all clubs,' Flick stated. 'Every player from the (German) national team who worked under his guidance speaks with great respect; I think the same. He is a colleague, a very, very successful colleague and a wonderful colleague.'

Flick noted that the 4-2 defeat to PSG in Paris gave his team some insights into areas needing improvement. 'We analyzed that game. We did many things really well, but we saw some situations where we need to improve,' Flick added. 'We must grow as a team. (On Sunday) we are playing against one of the best teams in the world, so this is a good opportunity for growth. To challenge ourselves, to improve ourselves and grow as a team.'