Ruben Amorim thinks Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal career earned a cleaner ending than the one it got.

The AC Milan head coach spoke to Sky Sport before his side’s UEFA Europa League tie with Ferencvaros, and he did not reach for the usual superlatives.

“This is not the best way for his national team career to end, but what he has done for our country is clear to everyone,” Amorim told the broadcaster.

Ronaldo announced his retirement on November 5, saying it was time to “hand back the No. 7 shirt” of the national team. The 41-year-old, who plays club football for Al-Nassr, finished with men’s international records of 234 appearances and 146 goals across 23 years.

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The announcement closed the longest chapter in Portuguese football, and it closed without the farewell lap most had expected.

A rift with Jesus that never healed

Ronaldo’s exit followed a very public break with Jorge Jesus, who took charge of Portugal in July 2026. On September 30, the forward walked out of the national team’s camp in Copenhagen before the Nations League tie with Denmark, having been an unused substitute in the previous match against Norway. He accused Jesus of going back on his word about his role in the side.

The Portuguese Football Federation imposed a 30-day suspension and a €285 fine on October 19. Ronaldo apologized to his teammates for leaving the camp and said he was available for selection once the ban was served.

The retirement, two weeks later, took that offer off the table.

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Amorim’s Portuguese and Old Trafford ties

Amorim’s reaction carries added weight on two fronts. He coached Ronaldo’s former club Manchester United from late 2024 until the summer, when he moved to Milan. And he is a fellow Portuguese, part of a generation that grew up with Ronaldo as the face of the national team.

He also spoke to Ronaldo’s reach beyond the pitch.

“The whole world knows him. Football is a window, and many people know Portugal through Ronaldo,” Amorim told Sky Sport.

For Jesus, the practical problem lands immediately. He must now shape his Nations League and Euro 2028 qualifying squad without the captain who played at six World Cups, and without the option of calling him back. Ronaldo’s final major tournament with Portugal was the 2026 World Cup in North America.

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