Cristiano Ronaldo has been informed he will no longer be guaranteed a starting spot for Portugal under new manager Jorge Jesus, according to former Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira. The 39-year-old Al-Nassr forward must adapt to a reduced international role if he wishes to extend his record-breaking tenure with the Seleccao beyond his current 233 caps.
Vieira, who previously worked with Jesus at Benfica, outlined the manager's pragmatic approach to handling the veteran striker. "Sometimes he'll play, other times he won't," Vieira told Antena 1, acknowledging that Ronaldo recognizes his career is entering its final chapter. The shift marks a departure from his role as an undisputed starter, a position he has held for nearly two decades with the national team.
Jesus's Vision for Continuity
Jesus, appointed to replace Fernando Santos following Portugal's disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign, has already developed a strong rapport with Ronaldo from their time together in Saudi Arabia. Vieira expressed confidence in the 72-year-old manager's ability to navigate this delicate situation with the respect Ronaldo deserves as a national icon. "He knows how to manage that situation," Vieira said, emphasizing Jesus's professionalism and his proven track record across multiple top-tier clubs.
Rather than undertaking a wholesale squad overhaul, Jesus has signaled his intent to maintain structural continuity. He recently stated: "People might think that the new manager is going to come in and change a lot of players. That won't happen. I'm not stupid." This measured approach suggests Ronaldo will remain part of the setup, albeit in a different capacity than his previous decades of guaranteed selection.
The Path Forward
Jesus's management philosophy centers on a "game by game" mentality, where each fixture is treated as the most important challenge ahead. Vieira praised this approach, noting it has delivered trophies throughout Jesus's managerial career. With Portugal rebuilding after World Cup disappointment, the balance between leveraging Ronaldo's experience and accelerating generational transition will define Jesus's tenure. The coming international window will reveal whether Ronaldo embraces his evolved role or considers stepping away from the national team he has dominated for nearly two decades.
