Mourinho says Ronaldo’s decision to retire from Portugal duty must be respected

Jose Mourinho says Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to retire from international football with Portugal must be respected, but insists the forward has not yet brought his playing career to an end.

Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football on Thursday, 5 November, having made his Portugal debut on 20 August 2003.

Speaking at a news conference, Real Madrid manager Mourinho said: “I do not want to comment on Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement from international football. His decision must be respected, and I respect it. It is not retirement.”

Mourinho added: “He has not ended his career yet. Anyone who knows him understands that he still has goals for his career, and all I hope is that his retirement as a footballer comes on a different day from yesterday.”

Asked whether Ronaldo could eventually move into management, Mourinho said it was too early to offer a view.

“As for how I see him as a coach, I cannot say for certain because I do not know what is in his mind,” he said. “But it is too soon to make any comment.”

Ronaldo spent three seasons playing under Mourinho at Real Madrid. The Portuguese manager is the second coach to have overseen the most appearances by Ronaldo, behind Sir Alex Ferguson.

Mourinho is also the manager with whom Ronaldo has scored the most goals. The forward scored 168 times in 164 matches during their three seasons together at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013.

Ronaldo made 234 appearances for Portugal and scored 146 goals, making him both the most-capped player and the leading scorer in the history of the national team.

He helped Portugal win Euro 2016 in France, their first European Championship title.

Ronaldo also won the UEFA Nations League twice with Portugal. The first triumph came in 2019, when Portugal beat the Netherlands 1-0.

Their second title followed in 2025, after Portugal defeated Spain on penalties following a 2-2 draw. Ronaldo scored Portugal’s second goal in the final.

Mourinho’s comments came after Ronaldo’s announcement ended his international career, although the forward’s achievements with Portugal include two UEFA Nations League titles and the European Championship victory in 2016.