Ronaldo’s Portugal exit is not retirement from football, says former coach Mourinho

File Picture: Jose Mourinho coached Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. | Photo Credit: AFP

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes Cristiano Ronaldo still has plenty to achieve in football despite announcing his retirement from international duty with Portugal on Thursday.

Ronaldo, who spent three seasons playing under Mourinho at Real Madrid, ended his international career after making a world-record 234 appearances and scoring 146 goals for Portugal.

Speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga clash against Valencia, Mourinho said the 41-year-old’s decision to step away from international football should not be mistaken for the end of his playing career.

“It’s not a retirement, his career has not ended. Anyone who knows him knows he still has goals for his career,” Mourinho said on Friday.

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The Portuguese manager also expressed hope that Ronaldo would eventually bring his playing career to a close under different circumstances from those surrounding his international departure.

Ronaldo’s decision followed a disagreement with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus in September, when the five-time Ballon d’Or winner left the national team camp after being left out of a Nations League match.

The forward was subsequently handed a 30-day suspension, bringing an unfortunate conclusion to an international career that included winning the European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

However, Ronaldo will continue playing club football for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, where his contract runs until June 2027.