Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is 41, but is not ready to step away from international football just yet. The legendary footballer has been named for the country’s upcoming Nations League fixtures
under new head coach Jorge Jesus. Though Ronaldo will continue to appear in international games, he has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup was his final appearance at the marquee tournament. Speaking of the squad, new head coach Jesus was hired as the replacement of Spaniard Roberto Martinez after a 1-0 loss in the Round of 16 of the World Cup.
Jesus and Ronaldo have worked together in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr club, where they won the league together last season. He has also coached several Portuguese clubs including Benfica and Sporting Lisbon. Jesus said that Ronaldo will be treated like the other players when it comes to selection and his inclusion will only be based on his performance and not past reputation. At the same time, he acknowledged that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner carries a different status because of everything he has achieved in the game.
“His performance is what matters. The past doesn’t count,” Jesus said. “Performance is what will tell me the decisions I’ll make in training and in games. In this squad, there are 13 players who have worked with me. I don’t have a base, so there were several players who were important in this squad.”
“Cris is a player like any other. If he performs well, he plays. If not, he doesn’t. He has a different status, he has five Ballon d’Or awards, but does that matter in my decisions? No,” he went on to say.
Cristiano Ronaldo Nears 1,000 Goals Milestone
Notably, the football legend is currently sitting on the 979 career strikes for club and country and is seeking to become the first officially recognized player to hit 1,000 goals. Considering he has already confessed that the 2026-27 season could be his last, Ronaldo is 21 goals short of reaching the milestone before May. “Regarding Cristiano Ronaldo, I believe he has to score his 1,000th goal more for Al Nassr than for the national team,” Jesus argued about Ronaldo.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo’s continued presence also comes as international football moves beyond Lionel Messi, who recently announced his retirement from Argentina national team. Ronaldo will now enter a new era altogether, beyond his rivalry with Lionel Messi.
