Cristiano Ronaldo turns to golf as Portugal prepare tribute after international retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to respond to the latest Portugal developments from a golf course, posting a photograph as Jorge Jesus and Bernardo Silva prepared to discuss the team’s Nations League meeting with Denmark.

The former Portugal captain shared the image on Instagram while accompanied by two friends, shortly before the national team’s news conference was due to begin on Friday evening. His choice of activity prompted questions over whether he was indirectly signalling that he was distancing himself from Jesus following the dispute between the pair that preceded his international retirement.

Ronaldo had spent several days in Portugal at his home in Quinta da Marinha, in Cascais, before returning to Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh. Golf now appears to have become his latest interest away from football.

He was joined on the golf course by Jose Semedo, chief executive of Saudi club Al Nassr, and the club’s sporting director Simao Coutinho.

Ronaldo’s appearance in Riyadh came only days after he announced the end of his international career. Portugal are preparing to play their first match without him against Denmark, while the former captain begins a new phase away from the national team.

Jesus backs tribute to Portugal great

Jesus said Ronaldo would remain a legend of Portuguese football and stressed the importance of ensuring that his contribution continued to inspire younger generations.

Asked about a Portuguese Football Federation initiative to honour Ronaldo during the Denmark match, Jesus said: “This falls within the responsibility of the Portuguese Football Federation, specifically its football and sporting departments, together with the federation president.”

“I think it is a wonderful idea. No-one can forget the 23 years Cristiano spent with the national team, what he gave and what he represented in football, whether with Portugal or his clubs,” he added.

Portuguese media reported on Thursday that every Portugal player would walk on to the pitch before the match wearing the famous number seven shirt associated with Ronaldo. It would be an unprecedented tribute to the forward’s legacy with his country.

“I did not work with Cristiano for one week; I spent a whole year with him,” said Jesus. “So I know very well how important he is, not only to the new players but also to young people around the world.”

He added: “I think it is a great idea to continue remembering that he is a legend of Portuguese football. I no longer know what will happen; only he knows.”

Jesus was also asked about Portugal’s attacking options without Ronaldo, including Gustavo Varela and Fabio Silva.

“The two players have different characteristics,” he said. “Gustavo Varela is a recognised striker and is quite similar to Goncalo Ramos.”

“Fabio has a greater ability to move around and knows how to lead an attack on his own. As I said, he often plays as a second striker for Borussia Dortmund. That is why we selected him in the initial squad, because we saw that he possessed different characteristics from Cristiano and Goncalo Ramos.”