Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in the initial squad selection by newly appointed Portugal coach Jorge Jesus, putting to rest ongoing questions regarding the veteran forward’s international career. Ronaldo had remained noncommittal about his future with the national team following Portugal’s elimination from the World Cup in July, when the team lost to Spain in the round of 16.
Jesus took over as Portugal’s manager following the departure of Roberto Martinez, who resigned after the World Cup campaign ended. The 72-year-old coach previously worked with Ronaldo at club level, having managed the Al-Nassr forward during their Saudi Pro League title-winning season. That accomplishment marked the first league championship for the Saudi club in seven years.
Ronaldo, 41, had publicly stated that the summer World Cup would be his final tournament for the national team. Following Portugal’s exit, he displayed visible emotion and declined to definitively answer whether he would continue his international career, instead indicating he would make decisions after consulting with his family. This ambiguity raised the possibility that he might follow a path similar to Lionel Messi’s recent retirement from international play.
The inclusion in the squad paves the way for Ronaldo to potentially extend his record-setting international career. He will be 42 before next summer’s Nations League finals and will reach 43 by the time Euro 2028 takes place. This would position him to surpass Pepe, his former Portugal teammate, whose final international appearance came at age 41 and 130 days during Euro 2024, making him the oldest player ever to compete in a European Championship.
The squad also includes other notable players such as Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes, Manchester City’s Ruben Dias, and Chelsea’s Pedro Neto. Portugal will face Wales at home on 24 September, followed by away matches against Norway and Denmark, with a final home fixture against Norway on 4 October as part of Nations League competition.
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