Veteran Star Cristiano Ronaldo Returns for Portugal Under New Coach
Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41, has received a call-up to the Portugal national squad. This selection marks the beginning of their new Nations League campaign. It is also the very first squad named by Portugal’s new head coach, Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo hinted last month that this football season would likely be his final one.
His career has been truly outstanding. Ronaldo has scored more than 950 goals for both his clubs and his country. New coach Jorge Jesus, aged 72, has a history with the star player. Jesus coached Ronaldo at the Saudi club Al-Nassr. Under Jesus’s leadership, Al-Nassr won the Saudi Pro League title. He left the club in May before taking the Portugal job. Jesus replaced Roberto Martinez after Portugal exited the World Cup in the last-16 stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the leading scorer in men’s international football history. He has scored an incredible 146 goals across 233 appearances. Last summer, Ronaldo made history by becoming the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments. Despite this achievement, his individual performances during that World Cup faced some public criticism. The former coach, Roberto Martinez, was also questioned for continuing to support his aging captain.
Coach Jorge Jesus has made other notable selections for his squad. Young Borussia Dortmund forward Fabio Silva has been recalled. This is his first national team call-up since November 2024, when he made his only international appearance. Midfielder Joao Palhinha from Benfica also makes his return. This marks his first time back in the squad in nearly a year.
Portugal has enjoyed great success in the Nations League competition. They have won the tournament twice out of its four editions. The team is also the current reigning champion. They secured the 2025 title by defeating Spain in a penalty shootout.
The Portuguese team will begin their 2026-27 Nations League journey soon. Their first match is against Wales in Lisbon on September 24. They will then play Norway in Oslo three days later. On October 1, Portugal will travel to face Denmark. The team will host Norway in Porto for a return match on October 4.
