Cristiano Ronaldo Named in Jorge Jesus's First Portugal Squad

Cristiano Ronaldo has been officially included in Portugal's 25-man squad for the upcoming international fixtures. The announcement on September 18, 2026, marks the very first squad selection overseen by new Portugal manager Jorge Jesus, who took over the role from Roberto Martinez back in July.

Jorge Jesus addressed the media regarding the selection of the 41-year-old Al Nassr forward, emphasizing that current form remains the ultimate deciding factor for his selections. "His performance is what matters. The past doesn’t count," Jorge Jesus stated, adding further context about his overall squad composition: "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 72-year-old manager elaborated further on how he evaluates the legendary player, who holds an extensive career history including previous stints with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Sporting, alongside teammate connections to Manchester City and Chelsea players such as Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, and Pedro Neto. "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," Jorge Jesus explained.

Ronaldo enters this international window carrying remarkable career statistics, boasting 146 goals across 233 appearances for his country. The veteran forward, who is currently 41 and 130 days old, could potentially reach the milestone of 42 before next summer's Nations League finals, and may even turn 43 by the time Euro 2028 arrives.

Looking ahead to the immediate schedule, Portugal is set to play crucial matches against Wales, Norway, and Denmark between September 24 and October 4. These upcoming fixtures will provide the first real competitive test under the tactical direction of Jorge Jesus since the managerial transition.

Reflecting on his career path and future milestones amidst comparisons to rival players like Lionel Messi and former international teammate Pepe, Ronaldo previously noted his measured approach to his playing future: "I will meet the family and take decisions with a calm head." For now, his immediate focus turns firmly toward representing Portugal in the upcoming Nations League encounters.