Cristiano Ronaldo's closest adviser Ricky Regufe has quit his job within Portugal's national football team to focus on the attacker's career.
Regufe usurped super-agent Jorge Mendes as Ronaldo's right-hand man, as the attacker's relationship with Manchester United fell apart. The former Nike executive was charged with negotiating Ronaldo's exit from the Red Devils and his move to Al-Nassr.
That contract with the Saudi Pro League side brings in a bumper £175million per year for Ronaldo, who Regufe works for as his personal manager. Regufe combined that role with a position in Portugal's national football team, working for them for 20 years.
But he has now opted to stand down from the position, announcing the move on social media. He revealed the news alongside pictures from Portugal's Euro 2016 win and their Nations League title win in 2019.
"It was a pride and a privilege to have served my country as a member of the National Team over two decades. I lived unforgettable moments and made friendships for life," Regufe wrote.
"I saw up close the National Team winning the two major trophies it has won so far and I watched Cristiano Ronaldo become the best player in the world. I thank the players, coaches and staff for everything we've experienced together.
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"A new stage begins but the desire to see our National Team win is always the same!"
Regufe is the latest official to exit the Portuguese national team set-up as they continue an overhaul following the World Cup. They were knocked out in stunning fashion by Morocco in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Manager Fernando Santos left his post in the aftermath of that defeat, with Roberto Martinez replacing him. Martinez has included Ronaldo in his squad for the first Euro 2024 qualifiers, despite the attacker's relationship with Santos fracturing at the World Cup.
Regufe is now expected to take a more hands-on role with Ronaldo's career after playing a key role in the 38-year-old's move to Saudi Arabia. The duo have been close friends for some time, with Regufe becoming his personal manager in 2018.
He usurped Mendes as Ronaldo's closest confidant towards the end of last year as the attacker sought to leave United. Ronaldo held an interview with Piers Morgan, against Mendes' wishes.
The fallout from that interview led to the Red Devils ripping up his contract, with Ronaldo moving to the Middle East. With a split emerging in Mendes and Ronaldo's relationship, Regufe stepped up to get the deal over the line.
He will now put his full focus into helping Ronaldo in the final stages of his career, without any distraction from his duties with the national team.
