Lisbon’s José Alvalade will stage a significant first night for Portugal on Thursday, when Jorge Jesus begins his tenure with a Nations League meeting against Wales. The European champions enter a new cycle with their veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo expected to lead the line, despite public preference for a different forward solution.
Ronaldo, now 41, is among the strongest candidates to start in Jesus’ opening side. The coach is preparing Portugal with the captain at the centre of the attack for the Group A4 fixture, the first of a campaign that also includes Norway and Denmark.
The selection would underline Jesus’ confidence in a player he has already called into his first squad, while also setting his approach apart from a readers’ vote held before the game. In that selection, Portugal supporters preferred Gonçalo Ramos as centre-forward and placed Ronaldo among the substitutes.
Jesus is expected to alter aspects of Portugal’s shape rather than simply continue with the previous formula. His early plans include using a more defensively minded midfielder and, potentially, a second striker instead of a three-man midfield.
There are familiar faces in the prospective starting team. João Félix previously worked under Jesus at Al-Nassr, while João Cancelo and Rúben Neves know the coach from his time at Al-Hilal. All three are in contention to begin alongside Ronaldo in Lisbon.
A new Portugal chapter at Alvalade
Portugal face Wales at the Estádio José Alvalade on Thursday, with kick-off scheduled for 15:45 Brasília time. It is both Jesus’ first match in charge of the national side and Portugal’s opening assignment in the Nations League.
As the reigning Nations League holders, Portugal begin with the weight of recent continental success as well as the curiosity surrounding their new manager. Ronaldo’s place in the first XI will be one of the immediate markers of how Jesus intends to balance experience, familiar club connections and tactical change.
