Cristiano Ronaldo Included In Portugal's Squad For Nations League Despite Poor Show In FIFA World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo was called up for the start of Portugal’s Nations League campaign on Friday as Jorge Jesus named his first squad since taking over as coach.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo said last month this would “probably” be his final season in football, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable career during which he has scored more than 950 goals for club and country.

Jesus coached five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo at Al-Nassr before leaving in May after guiding the club to the Saudi Pro League title. He replaced Roberto Martinez after Portugal’s last-16 exit at the World Cup.

Ronaldo is the leading scorer in the history of men’s international football with 146 goals in 233 appearances.

He became the first player to score at six World Cups last

summer, but his performances at the tournament drew criticism, while Martinez also faced scrutiny for continuing to back his ageing captain.

Borussia Dortmund forward Fabio Silva has been recalled, earning his first call-up since making his sole international appearance in November 2024, while Benfica midfielder Joao Palhinha returns for the first time in nearly a year.

Portugal have won the Nations League twice in four editions. They are the reigning champions after beating Spain on penalties in the 2025 final.

The Portuguese begin their 2026-27 campaign against Wales in Lisbon on September 24 before facing Norway in Oslo three days later and Denmark away on October 1, ahead of a return meeting with Norway in Porto on October 4.

Zidane confirms Mbappe as captain 

Zinedine Zidane confirmed on Friday that Kylian Mbappe would be his France captain after naming his first squad since being appointed as the successor to Didier Deschamps as coach of Les Bleus.

Zidane, who played alongside Deschamps in the France sides that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, was appointed at the end of July as the new coach on a four-year contract.

His first matches in charge come in the UEFA Nations League, beginning with a trip to Turkey next Friday and then a meeting with Belgium in Brussels on September 28.

Zidane’s first home game at the helm will be against Italy at the Stade de France on October 2, with his new charges then hosting Belgium three days later.

The 54-year-old former Ballon d’Or winner Zidane has named several new faces in his first squad.

Centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, 21, is included as a reward for his performances with Liverpool since moving to the Premier League club during the close season.

Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, the top scorer in Ligue 1 last season, gets a first call-up while there is a place for the midfielder Lucas Da Cunha of Como in Serie A.

Andy Diouf, the midfielder or wing-back with Inter Milan, and Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes also come in.

Notable names who were at the World Cup but who do not feature in the squad include the Real midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and the Inter forward Marcus Thuram, as well as the injured Arsenal defender William Saliba.

(With inputs from AFP)