Cristiano Ronaldo has been called up to the Portugal national team at age 41 by newly appointed coach Jorge Jesus to contest the opening four fixtures of the UEFA Nations League, according to sports reports published Friday.
The Portugal Call-Up and Squad Selection
The veteran forward, who plays his club football for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, is included in a 25-man squad announced Friday by Jorge Jesus. According to the announcement, Ronaldo’s selection means the player will extend his international appearance record past his current milestone of 233 caps. Jesus, 71, took over the managerial reins from Roberto Martinez following Portugal’s elimination in the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Spain defeated them 1–0 in the opening knockout round.
Speaking in a Friday press conference reported by outlets including Ouest-France, Jorge Jesus addressed the player’s role within the squad. “He has a different status because his career is different, he has five Ballons d’or,” Jesus said. “After, does that count for my decisions? No. He is a player like the others: if he has performance he plays, if he doesn’t have it he doesn’t play.”
Nations League Schedule and Roster Details
As reigning titleholders from the 2019 and 2025 editions of the tournament, Portugal opens the new competition phase against Wales in Lisbon on Thursday. Subsequent fixtures include an away match against Norway on September 27, an away fixture against Denmark on October 1, and a home match against Norway in Porto on October 4.
The 25-man roster features several notable inclusions across all positions:
- Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting Portugal), Samuel Soares (Benfica Lisbonne)
- Defenders: Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting Portugal), Joao Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Tavares (Lazio Rome), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Tomas Araujo (Benfica Lisbonne)
- Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Palhinha (Benfica Lisbonne), Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Bernardo Silva (Real Madrid)
- Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Fabio Silva (Borussia Dortmund), Francisco Trincao (Al Ahli), Francisco Conceiçao (Juventus), Gonçalo Ramos (AC Milan), Joao Félix (Al Nassr), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (Galatasaray)
According to match reports, the selection introduces few new faces alongside established Paris Saint-Germain contributors Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Nuno Mendes. Among the roster’s additions are Borussia Dortmund forward Fabio Silva and Benfica defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha.
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