José Mourinho has reacted to Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to end his international football career, insisting that the Portuguese superstar still has ambitions to fulfil while suggesting that his departure from the national team deserved a different ending.
Speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga fixture against Valencia, Mourinho expressed respect for Ronaldo’s decision but made it clear that he does not consider the 41-year-old’s football journey to be over.
“I don’t want to make an assessment, I can only comment. It’s a decision that must be respected, and obviously I respect it. It’s not retirement. Anyone who knows him knows that he still has goals for his career,” Mourinho said.
The Portuguese tactician added:
“The only thing I would like is that when the day comes for him to end his career as a footballer, it should be on a different day from yesterday.”
Mourinho’s comments follow Ronaldo’s emotional announcement on Thursday, November 5, confirming his retirement from Portugal’s national team after 23 years of international service.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, having recorded 234 appearances and 146 goals for his country, both men’s international football records.
Since making his international debut in August 2003, Ronaldo has represented Portugal across six FIFA World Cups and six European Championships.
His greatest international achievement came in 2016, when he captained Portugal to its first-ever European Championship title. He subsequently helped the country win the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
His contribution to Portuguese football has established him as one of the most influential players in the country’s sporting history.
Ronaldo’s international departure comes against the background of a reported disagreement with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus.
The controversy intensified during the September international break when Ronaldo was left on the bench against Norway and was not introduced into the match.
The forward subsequently claimed that the coach had given him assurances about playing time that were not fulfilled.
Following the disagreement, Ronaldo left Portugal’s training camp on September 30, triggering disciplinary proceedings by the Portuguese Football Federation.
He was subsequently handed a 30-day suspension and a €255 fine.
Although Ronaldo later apologised for leaving the camp, the relationship between the player and the national-team management remained a major talking point.
His international retirement announcement arrived just one day before Jorge Jesus unveiled his latest Portugal squad.
Mourinho’s reaction is particularly noteworthy because of his previous relationship with Ronaldo. The two Portuguese football figures worked together at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, during which they achieved considerable success.
Mourinho understands Ronaldo’s competitive mentality and ambition, making his assessment of the player’s future particularly interesting.
His suggestion that Ronaldo’s eventual retirement from professional football should happen on a different day appears to reflect disappointment with the circumstances surrounding the international farewell.
However, Mourinho avoided directly criticising either Ronaldo or Portugal’s coaching staff, choosing instead to emphasise respect and the player’s remaining ambitions.
When asked whether he could see Ronaldo becoming a manager after his playing career, Mourinho declined to speculate, insisting that it was too early to discuss such possibilities.
Despite ending his international career, Ronaldo has no immediate plans to abandon professional football.
The 41-year-old remains an active player for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where he continues to pursue individual and collective honours.
He is also chasing the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career goals, with Associated Press reporting his tally at 985 on November 6.
His current contract with Al-Nassr runs until June 2027.
Consequently, the end of his Portugal journey does not necessarily signal the conclusion of his competitive ambitions.
Ronaldo’s decision represents the end of an extraordinary international era for Portugal. From his debut in 2003 to his final international appearances in 2026, he transformed the country’s football history, setting records that will be difficult for future generations to surpass.
For Mourinho, however, the most important distinction is that the end of Ronaldo’s international career should not be confused with the end of his professional journey.
The Portuguese superstar still has goals to achieve, records to chase and more football to play.
As Mourinho’s remarks suggest, when Cristiano Ronaldo eventually decides to retire from football altogether, the occasion should be worthy of a career that has shaped an entire generation of the sport.
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