Jorge Jesus says no Ronaldo return despite Portugal's 1-4 loss to Denmark

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Portugal manager Jorge Jesus has confirmed ‘there is no going back’ on Cristiano Ronaldo’s international retirement, after a stunning 1-4 UEFA Nations League defeat to Denmark at Estadio Municipal in Braga on Saturday.

The fixture marked Portugal’s first outing since Cristiano Ronaldo‘s retirement, turning into a bittersweet occasion as the starting XI wore iconic number seven jerseys and fans paid tribute. In the seventh minute, a stadium screen tribute drew widespread applause. However, Rasmus Hojlund’s brace and Denmark’s clinical display soon overshadowed the celebrations.

Reflecting on the absence of their 41-year-old icon after the match, Jorge stated, as quoted by Goal.com, “People miss him and have not forgotten what Cris gave over 23 years with the national team, but there is no going back on the matter.”

When asked about whether he misses his star striker in the team, Jesus dismissed the suggestion, saying Ronaldo has made his own decision

“Do I miss him? How can I miss him when he is no longer in the national team? The only way I would miss him is if he were beside me, but he no longer plays; he is no longer here, he made his own decision.”

Denmark capitalise as Portugal suffer record home loss

The heavy loss marked Portugal’s heaviest home defeat in 105 years, alongside their first time conceding four home goals since a 4-4 draw with Cyprus in 2010, and their largest overall margin of defeat in 12 years, per 433.

Despite a bright start featuring efforts from Vitinha and Pedro Neto, denied by Mads Hermansen, Portugal fell behind before the break. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg converted a 43rd-minute penalty after Rasmus Hojlund’s earlier header was disallowed.

Hojlund doubled the lead with a 50th-minute volley from Mikkel Damsgaard’s chip before adding a third seven minutes later, beating Renato Veiga to spark provocative Lionel Messi chants from visiting fans. Jorge introduced Carlos Forbs, Francisco Trincao, and Joao Palhinha on 63 minutes, but Trincao missed wide. Joachim Andersen headed home a fourth in the 75th minute to seal the rout.

Despite the setback, Portugal top League A Group A with a quarter-final berth secured, while Denmark need a point against Norway to advance.

(With inputs from ANI)

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