Portugal’s camp has reached a delicate point in Cristiano Ronaldo’s long international journey. At 41, the Al Nassr forward remains fixed on the 1,000-goal landmark, but his place in the national side is no longer automatic as the closing stretch of his career comes into view.
Jorge Jesus has made clear that Ronaldo is still valued, though in a role different from the one he occupied for much of the past two decades. The Portugal captain is being asked to accommodate a changing hierarchy while continuing to chase one of football’s most remarkable individual totals.
Quick facts
- Cristiano Ronaldo is 41 and remains Portugal and Al Nassr captain.
- He is pursuing 1,000 career goals as the end of his playing career approaches.
- Jorge Jesus said Ronaldo would start against Wales, but his starting place is not assured beyond that match.
- Ronaldo left the field angry after Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway and did not join the celebrations or greet travelling supporters.
- Jesus said he would speak to Ronaldo about the incident ahead of the Denmark match.
Before the Wales fixture, Jesus said Ronaldo would be in the starting XI for that game, while stressing that selection would have to be judged match by match. The coach, who knows the forward well, believes he can still make a contribution to Portugal, even if it cannot always be as the side’s unquestioned focal point.
Ronaldo appeared to accept that message in the same press conference. He said he would remain available for the country for as long as he felt useful and important, adding that Portugal winning mattered more than the number of minutes he received.
“If they tell me I am no longer needed, I will leave,” Ronaldo said. “As long as I feel I can help, I will be here.”
The mood changed after the 2-1 win over Norway. Ronaldo went straight down the tunnel at full time, visibly frustrated, rather than staying with team-mates for the post-match celebrations.
His failure to acknowledge Portugal supporters who had travelled for the match has prompted debate at home, with questions raised over whether his reaction matches the acceptance he expressed in front of the media.
Jesus did not try to offer an explanation. “Cristiano Ronaldo did not greet the fans? I will speak with him,” the coach said. “The national team is the national team. I cannot explain why he did not do it, but I will discuss it with him.”
Portugal now turn towards Denmark, where Ronaldo’s involvement in the starting side will be watched closely. The issue is not whether a player of his stature can still influence a match, but how Portugal manage that influence as a new balance takes shape.
