Portugal’s new era has begun with a familiar name at its centre. Jorge Jesus has included Cristiano Ronaldo in his first squad as national-team coach, insisting that the veteran forward will not become an issue for the Seleção as the side moves on from the 2026 World Cup.
Jesus announced his initial call-up on Friday for his first fixtures in charge, naming a group described as containing 26 players. The published selection lists 25 names across the four positions, with Ronaldo among eight forwards.
The coach took over after Portugal’s World Cup campaign ended with a round-of-16 defeat to Spain. Roberto Martínez departed following that elimination, handing Jesus the task of reshaping the team after the tournament.
Speaking about Ronaldo, whom he has previously coached at Al-Nassr, Jesus was unequivocal: “Cristiano Ronaldo will never be a problem for the Portugal national team.”
A different direction for Portugal
Jesus also indicated that he intends to alter the team’s identity rather than preserve the approach inherited from Martínez. “My idea of football has nothing to do with what Portugal used to be,” he said.
His first group retains the core of Portugal’s recent international sides, including Diogo Costa, Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leão. There is also room for younger options such as Tomás Araújo, Renato Veiga, João Neves and Fábio Silva.
Jorge Jesus’s first Portugal selection
Goalkeepers
- Diogo Costa
- Rui Silva
- Samuel Soares
Defenders
- João Cancelo
- Diogo Dalot
- Rúben Dias
- Tomás Araújo
- Renato Veiga
- Gonçalo Inácio
- Nuno Mendes
- Nuno Tavares
Midfielders
- João Palhinha
- Rúben Neves
- Vitinha
- João Neves
- Bernardo Silva
- Bruno Fernandes
Forwards
- Francisco Conceição
- Francisco Trincão
- Rafael Leão
- Pedro Neto
- João Félix
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Gonçalo Ramos
- Fábio Silva
