Ronaldo Portugal Squad
Cristiano Ronaldo Named in Jorge Jesus' First Portugal Squad for Nations League
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Key Points
1
Jorge Jesus said Ronaldo is more likely to score his 1,000th career goal for Al-Nassr than for Portugal.
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Ronaldo would be 43 years old by the 2028 European Championship, the next major international tournament after the 2026 World Cup.
3
Jesus and Ronaldo previously worked together at Al-Nassr, helping the Saudi club win the league last season; Jesus has also managed Portuguese clubs Benfica and Sporting Lisbon.
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Jesus said 13 players in the new squad had previously worked with him, while stressing that he does not have a fixed core of players.
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Goalkeeper Samuel Soares received his first senior Portugal call-up, while Nuno Tavares, João Palhinha and Fábio Silva returned after missing the 2026 World Cup final tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Portugal's squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, ending speculation about his international future. Manager Jorge Jesus included the 41-year-old forward in his first 25-man roster on September 18, 2026, after taking over from Roberto Martínez following Portugal's World Cup elimination.
Jesus, who previously coached Ronaldo at Saudi club Al-Nassr, made clear that selection will be based on performance, not reputation. Associated Press reported Jesus saying: "If he performs well, he plays. If he doesn't perform well, he doesn't play." Ronaldo now sits at 979 career goals—just 21 short of 1,000—with 146 goals for Portugal.
Jesus Takes a Meritocratic Approach With Ronaldo
The new Portugal boss has drawn a clear line: Ronaldo's five Ballon d'Or awards won't shield him from the bench. Associated Press reported Jesus stating that Ballon d'Or wins "don't influence my decisions, zero." This marks a sharp shift from Roberto Martínez's tenure, where Ronaldo held untouchable status despite Portugal's World Cup disappointment.
Jesus knows Ronaldo well from their time together at Al-Nassr, where the club won the Saudi Pro League title last season. However, the 72-year-old coach has signaled he views Ronaldo more as an experienced backup than a guaranteed starter. Notably, 13 of the 25 squad members previously worked with Jesus, giving him a familiar core to build around.
Ronaldo's Path to His 1,000th Career Goal Narrows
Ronaldo is tantalizing close to a historic milestone: his 1,000th career goal. He has 979 goals across club and country, needing just 21 more. Jesus, however, dampened expectations about where that goal will come. Associated Press reported the manager saying Ronaldo is "more likely to score his thousandth goal for Al-Nassr than for the Portuguese national team."
At 41 years old, Ronaldo faces limited opportunities at international level. Portugal will play just four Nations League matches in 11 days—against Wales, Norway, Denmark, and Norway again between September 24 and October 4. Jesus's comment suggests the forward may see reduced playing time for his country.
Squad Rebuilding Continues With New Faces
Jesus used the Nations League call-up to inject fresh blood into Portugal's lineup. Goalkeeper Samuel Soares earned his first senior international call-up from Benfica. Midfielders João Palhinha and winger Nuno Tavares, along with striker Fábio Silva, returned after missing the World Cup final tournament.
Established stars remain part of the picture: midfielder Bruno Fernandes, winger Bernardo Silva, and left-back Rafael Leão all made the squad. Portugal enters the Nations League as defending champions from 2025, meaning Jesus must balance rebuilding with protecting the team's title.
Ronaldo's International Future Extends Beyond 2026
By being named to this squad, Ronaldo has effectively signaled he will not retire from international football immediately. He previously stated the 2026 World Cup would be his last, and told Vogue that this is "probably my last year of football." His inclusion here suggests Portugal and club football may still occupy his schedule.
If Ronaldo continues through to the next major tournament—the 2028 UEFA European Championship—he would be 43 years old. That timeline seems ambitious given his age and Jesus's blunt performance-first stance. The Nations League matches over the next two weeks will show whether Ronaldo still fits Jesus's vision for Portugal's future.
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