Cristiano Ronaldo called up by Portugal again

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Portugal's squad for four Nations League fixtures over the coming weeks, with the 41-year-old showing no sign of stepping back from international duty.

Jorge Jesus's side face Wales at home on 24 September, then Norway twice — away on 27 September and at home on 4 October — before a trip to Denmark on 1 October. Ronaldo will be joined by three other Saudi-based players: Rúben Neves (Al-Hilal), Francisco Trincão (Al-Ahli) and João Félix (Al-Nassr), alongside United captain Bruno Fernandes, Galatasaray's Rafael Leão and Real Madrid's Bernardo Silva.

Ronaldo made his Portugal debut on 20 August 2003 against Kazakhstan, playing 45 minutes; three players in the current squad had not yet been born. He remains the record appearance-maker for the national side with 233 caps and the leading scorer in international football history with 146 goals, a tally built on this qualifying campaign too —

His honours with the national team include the 2016 European Championship and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025. Reports earlier this year suggested Ronaldo could leave Al-Nassr in January 2027, though no destination has been mentioned.

Portugal are not the only side leaning on players well past 40 for this international window. Croatia have called up Luka Modrić, also 41, for Nations League matches against the Czech Republic, Spain and England.