Jorge Jesus names Cristiano Ronaldo in first Portugal squad
The 41-year-old forward earns another call-up as Portugal's new head coach builds his first Nations League roster with an eye toward co-hosting the 2030 World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo is not done yet. Portugal’s new head coach Jorge Jesus included the 41-year-old forward in his first squad announcement on September 18, 2026, putting to rest any lingering speculation about international retirement for the most prolific scorer in the history of men’s international football.
The 25-man squad will begin its UEFA Nations League Group A campaign against Wales on September 24, with Jesus facing his first real test since taking the reins of a team still processing a disappointing 2026 World Cup exit.
A new era with a familiar face
Jesus was appointed Portugal’s head coach on July 10, 2026, replacing Roberto Martínez after the team was eliminated in the round of 16 at the World Cup. The appointment came with a four-year contract that stretches through the 2030 World Cup, a tournament Portugal will co-host alongside Spain.
The relationship between Jesus and Ronaldo is not new. The two worked together at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, where Jesus guided Ronaldo and João Félix to a league title. That familiarity clearly carries weight.
Ronaldo’s numbers at international level remain almost absurd in their scale: 146 goals in 233 appearances. No male player in the history of the sport has scored more for their country. He will turn 42 before the Nations League finals.
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Jesus has been clear that squad selection will be based strictly on performance.
Fresh blood alongside the veterans
While Ronaldo’s inclusion grabbed the headlines, the squad also features four uncapped players receiving their first senior call-ups. Goalkeeper Samuel Soares, midfielder João Palhinha, defender Nuno Tavares, and striker Fábio Silva all earned spots in the 25-man group.
Established names like Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rúben Dias round out the roster, providing a spine of Premier League-tested talent.
The road to 2030
Portugal’s round-of-16 exit at the 2026 World Cup was considered a significant underperformance for a squad of this caliber. Martínez paid for it with his job, and Jesus now carries the mandate to restore both results and identity to the program.
Co-hosting a World Cup changes the calculus for everything. Portugal won’t need to qualify through the traditional route, which means Jesus can use the intervening years to experiment, integrate younger players, and build a system rather than scramble for points in qualifying groups.