# Ricardo Horta Addresses Cristiano Ronaldo's Absence from National Team Braga captain affirms Portugal's winning mentality remains regardless of Ronaldo's participation. - **Source:** [Record](https://www.record.pt) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/11c94865-3618-4288-941c-bc4b09ed911f ## Horta Supports National Team Ricardo Horta, the current captain of Sporting Braga, has publicly addressed the recent discussions surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from the Portuguese national team. Despite not being called up by manager Jorge Jesus for the current cycle, Horta emphasized his unwavering commitment as a dedicated supporter of the national squad's collective success. ## Winning Mentality Remains Constant Horta asserted that the Portuguese national team maintains a strong winning mentality regardless of individual player participation. He stated that the squad is designed to compete for victory in every match they play, highlighting that the team's core objective remains unchanged even when high-profile players like Cristiano Ronaldo are absent. ## Absence of Tactical Call-up The Braga captain confirmed he was not included in the latest squad list selected by Jorge Jesus. This tactical decision by the coaching staff reflects the ongoing rotation strategies employed within the national setup, as managers look to evaluate different player profiles and tactical combinations ahead of upcoming competitive international fixtures. ## Role of Team Captains As a prominent leader at Sporting Braga, Horta's comments carry weight within the Portuguese football community. His supportive stance serves to minimize potential distractions regarding squad selection controversies. By positioning himself as a fan, he reinforces the idea that national pride transcends individual roster spots during these transitionary periods. ## Managerial Influence on Squads The mention of Jorge Jesus as the manager highlights the specific technical direction currently guiding the national team's selection process. Coaches often prioritize specific tactical systems that may necessitate excluding established stars or veteran players. This approach is standard practice in international football to ensure long-term squad depth and versatility. ## Context of National Transitions International football teams frequently undergo phases where veteran leadership is balanced against new tactical requirements. The discourse surrounding Ronaldo's status often reflects broader debates about how teams evolve after long-standing icons step aside. Horta's public endorsement of the team's resilience is a common professional response to such high-profile roster changes. ## Fan Perspective and Unity By identifying as just another supporter, Horta aims to foster unity among the Portuguese fanbase during a period of uncertainty. His statement is intended to shift the narrative away from individual absences and toward the collective goal of winning matches, which is essential for maintaining morale during intense international qualification campaigns. ## Future Outlook for Portugal Looking ahead, the national team must continue to perform at a high level to remain competitive in major tournaments. The ability of players like Horta to remain supportive while outside the squad is vital for team culture. Portugal's success will depend on this collective focus rather than any single player's presence. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.record.pt/multimedia/videos/detalhe/ricardo-horta-e-a-saida-de-cr7-a-selecao-vai-entrar-sempre-para-ganhar-com-ou-sem-cristiano — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._