Jorge Jesus has addressed the future of Cristiano Ronaldo at Portugal, dismissing concerns that the 41-year-old forward represents a burden on the national team. The newly appointed manager replaced Roberto Martinez following Portugal's disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign, which ended in a round-of-16 exit to eventual champions Spain.
Jesus spoke candidly about his approach to squad management and player selection, emphasizing that age alone will not determine whether Ronaldo features in his plans. "Ronaldo will not be any problem for the national team or for me personally," Jesus told Canal 11. The Portuguese tactician, who previously worked with Ronaldo during his time at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, praised the legendary forward's enduring importance. "Cristiano is a symbol for Portugal, and his name will be immortalised in history," Jesus added, signaling that retirement decisions will be made through individual conversations rather than public pronouncements.
Stability Over Radical Changes
Rather than overhaul the squad, Jesus intends to maintain continuity from the World Cup campaign. He confirmed that Portugal's Nations League roster for the Wales fixture on 24 September will closely mirror the group that traveled to the tournament. "Some might think that the new manager will come in and make many changes to the players, but that will not happen," Jesus explained. The former Benfica and Al Hilal boss acknowledged the limited pool of alternative talent available, suggesting only two or three additional players may enter the setup over the coming months.
Jesus has set ambitious targets for the four-year cycle ahead, warning that marginal improvements alone will not satisfy Portugal's objectives. The nation won the European Championship in 2016 and claimed the UEFA Nations League twice, but success at major tournaments remains elusive. "We have wonderful players, but we have not achieved many honours," Jesus noted, referencing Portugal's participation in last year's Nations League finals alongside France, Germany, and Spain—a testament to the competitive caliber of European football.
With Ronaldo's international career now entering its final chapters, Jesus's pragmatic approach offers clarity: the captain's experience and symbolic value will remain central to Portugal's ambitions, provided on-field performance improves and collective standards rise beyond the 2026 World Cup's disappointing trajectory.
