Cristiano Ronaldo named in Jorge Jesus’s first Portugal squad | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo has been called up by new Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus in his first 25-man squad for the opening four Nations League matchdays. According to L'Équipe, the 41-year-old is included in a group named on Friday.

This selection gives Ronaldo a sixth national-team boss, after Luiz Felipe Scolari, Carlos Queiroz, Paulo Bento, Fernando Santos and Roberto Martinez.

Jesus coached Al-Nassr last season, where Ronaldo still plays. In August the forward said this year would probably be his final as a professional. He has been selected despite a disappointing World Cup, when Portugal went out to Spain in the last 16 and he scored only against Uzbekistan, 5-0, and Croatia, 2-1, while starting every game.

Roberto Martinez was criticised for starting him in every match and giving understudy Gonçalo Ramos little time on the pitch.

Jesus said Ronaldo will play only if his performances merit it, and that his status and five Ballons d'Or do not influence his choices.

New faces include Borussia Dortmund striker Fabio Silva and Benfica midfielder Joao Palhinha, while Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Vitinha are all selected.

Portugal, winners of the Nations League in 2019 and 2025, open this edition at home to Wales in Lisbon on Thursday 24 September, then visit Norway on Sunday 27 September and Denmark on Thursday 1 October, before hosting Norway in Porto on Sunday 4 October.

Source: L'Équipe

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