Ronaldo Named in Jesus' First Portugal Squad

Jorge Jesus has named Cristiano Ronaldo in his first Portugal squad since taking over as head coach, meaning the 41-year-old will play on beyond the summer's World Cup exit rather than follow Lionel Messi into international retirement.

Ronaldo is included in a 25-man party for four Nations League fixtures: at home to Wales on September 24, away to Norway and Denmark, then a second meeting with Norway on October 4. Jesus made four changes to the group that lost in the last 16 to Spain, but kept Ronaldo, whom he managed last season at Al-Nassr on the way to the Saudi Pro League title before leaving to replace Roberto Martinez, who stepped down after the World Cup.

Ronaldo said before the tournament that it would be his last World Cup, and he has since gone further about his outlook on the game.

«this is probably my last year of football».

Retirement from the national side, though, is not yet on the table. His return to the squad extends a Portugal career that started in August 2003 and has yielded 146 goals in 233 caps, a record for men's international football, along with the Euro 2016 title. Last summer he became the first player to score at six World Cups, though his lack of mobility and defensive contribution drew criticism from Portugal supporters during the tournament.

Jesus has been direct about what recall means in practice: Ronaldo's history with the coach and his standing in the game will not by themselves secure him a starting place. Squad places elsewhere remain open too, with Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa and Borussia Dortmund forward Fábio Silva, who has scored eight goals for his club since his October move, among the options Jesus has to work with beyond his captain.

The two worked together for one season at Al-Nassr, winning the Saudi Pro League title, before Jesus left for the Portugal job. Reporters asked him, as he unveiled the squad, whether that relationship would shape his approach to selection.

The contrast with Messi, reported on this desk earlier this month, is stark. The Argentine ended his international career in August, with the Argentina Football Association pausing matches nationwide in tribute and Messi set for a farewell appearance against Benin on October 6. Ronaldo, by all accounts, is not ready to write that chapter yet. If he stays involved through Euro 2028, he will do so at 43.

Messi has won the Ballon d'Or five times. Scaloni, unveiling the squad for the Benin fixture, was asked whether that status influences his selection decisions.