Key Takeaways
- Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in Jorge Jesus' first Portugal squad.
- The 41-year-old captain will play in upcoming Nations League matches.
- Jesus emphasizes performance over past achievements in squad selection.
Portugal's legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in the squad for the upcoming four Nations League matches, under the new management of Jorge Jesus. The inclusion of the 41-year-old, who has previously stated that 2026 will be his last World Cup, marks a significant return to international competition.
In a press conference, Jorge Jesus highlighted Ronaldo's performance as the deciding factor for his inclusion. 'His performance is what matters. The past doesn’t count,' Jesus stated. 'In this squad, there are 13 players who have worked with me. I don’t have a set core, so within this group, there were several players who were important for this squad.'
The upcoming matches include a home game against Wales on September 24, followed by away games against Norway and Denmark on September 27 and October 1, respectively. Portugal will then host Norway on October 4. These matches will be Jesus' debut as Portugal manager, following the resignation of Roberto Martinez after the country's World Cup exit.
The squad features a mix of experienced and young players, with Ronaldo as the standout name. Other notable inclusions include Fabio Silva, Francisco Trincao, Francisco Conceicao, and Joao Felix. Goalkeepers Diogo Costa, Rui Silva, and Samuel Soares, along with defenders Goncalo Inacio, Joao Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Nuno Tavares, Nuno Mendes, Renato Veiga, Ruben Dias, and Tomas Araujo, round out the squad.
Midfielders Bruno Fernandes, Joao Palhinha, Joao Neves, Ruben Neves, and Vitinha, along with forwards Fabio Silva, Francisco Trincao, Francisco Conceicao, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Felix, Pedro Neto, and Rafael Leao, complete the squad. Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, was previously unable to add a World Cup title to his trophy cabinet, leaving the sport’s biggest prize absent from his collection.
Despite his age and past achievements, Ronaldo's inclusion is based solely on his current form, according to Jesus. 'Cris is a player like any other. If he performs, he plays; if not, he doesn’t. He has a different status — he has five Ballon d’Or awards — but does that factor into my decisions? No. However, the fact that he is different is,' Jesus added.
This move signals a new era for Portugal under Jesus, who has emphasized the importance of performance over past accolades. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the direction of Portugal's national team under the new management.
His performance is what matters. The past doesn’t count.
Jorge Jesus, Portugal manager
