Portugal coach Jorge Jesus said he felt no guilt over Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to retire from the national team, adding that he was not expecting the captain's decision.
The 41-year-old forward announced his Portugal career was over on Thursday after 234 appearances and 146 goals -- both of which are records in the men's game.
The announcement came less than a month after he was suspended for 30 days and fined €255 by the Portuguese Football Federation after walking out on the national team.
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The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward had left the camp shortly before a Nations League game against Denmark on Oct. 1 following a falling out with head coach Jorge Jesus.
Facing the media on Friday after announcing his squad for Nations League games against Denmark and Wales, Jesus said he did not feel responsible for Ronaldo's decision.
"No, maybe I rushed things, but not because of me," Jesus said. "It was in his head, more call-ups, fewer call-ups.
"We also talked about it a few times. And if it was going to happen. But no, I don't feel guilty about anything regarding his departure. I respect his decision."
The Al Nassr forward played his last game for Portugal on Sept. 24, a 1-0 win over Wales in a Nations League game in Lisbon. He was an unused sub for the first time in 18 years for Portugal in a 2-1 win in Norway on Oct. 4.
Although Ronaldo apologised to his teammates for walking out and expressed his desire to continue playing for the national team, he did not do so to Jesus.
Still, Jesus -- who coached Ronaldo at Saudi club Al Nassr before taking over Portugal in July -- said he was ready to name Ronaldo in his latest squad.
"I thought he would return," Jesus said. "I certainly intended to call him up.
"He felt that this was the right moment to leave, and that must be respected. We can never overlook what he has meant to Portugal, what he has contributed to the country, or the fact that he serves as a symbol for younger players."
Jesus took over the national team following Portugal's round of 16 exit at the 2026 World Cup and said he spoke with Ronaldo in September about the 41-year-old's future in the national team.
"We had the chance to talk about this before the first squad announcement [in September before the fallout]," he told Canal 11 earlier on Friday. "I asked him to stay on with me because I needed him by my side.
Jorge Jesus, who guided Ronaldo win his first Saudi Pro League title last season at Al Nassr, paid tribute to the player's legacy.
"I had the chance to spend a year working with him at Al Nassr," he said. "Cris is a global icon, a Portuguese icon, and an icon of the national team."
Ronaldo captained Portugal to Euro 2016 glory, and to the inaugural UEFA Nations League trophy three years later and again in 2025.
Information from ESPN's Adriana Garcia, The Associated Press and PA contributed to this report.
Portugal squad:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting), Samuel Soares (Benfica).
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Alberto Costa (Porto), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Tomás Araújo (Benfica), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), António Silva (Bournemouth), João Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Tavares (Lazio).
Midfielders: João Palhinha (Benfica), Rúben Neves (Al-Hilal), Mateus Fernandes (Tottenham), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Bernardo Silva (Real Madrid), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Francisco Trincão (Al-Ahli), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United).
Forwards: Carlos Forbs (Club Brugge), João Félix (Al-Nassr), Rafael Leão (Galatasaray), Geovany Quenda (Chelsea), Rodrigo Mora (Roma), Gonçalo Ramos (AC Milan), Fábio Silva (Borussia Dortmund), Gustavo Varela (Monza).