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Cristiano Ronaldo Named in Portugal Squad for Nations League Matches
Confirmed
In Short: The 41-year-old Portugal captain is included in new manager Jorge Jesus’s first squad for upcoming Nations League games.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Portugal's squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, despite his recent comments about potentially retiring from international football.
Ronaldo, who has been a key figure in Portugal's national team since his debut in 2002, is one of the most decorated players in football history, with five Ballon d’Or awards and numerous club trophies.
The Portugal squad, under new manager Jorge Jesus, will face Wales, Norway, and Denmark in the upcoming matches. The campaign begins with a home game against Wales on September 24.
Ronaldo, who recently called for lifetime bans for fans who taunted Ruben Neves with chants of his late friend Diogo Jota's name, remains a vocal advocate for fair play and respect in the game.
Portugal's upcoming matches include home and away games against Norway and Denmark, with the team aiming to defend their Nations League title.
What's confirmed
- Ronaldo confirmed in July that the 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup would be his last in that competition, but he was unwilling to make a hasty call on his international future.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in new Portugal manager Jorge Jesus’s first 25-man squad for the defending champions’ upcoming four Nations League matches.
- In August, Ronaldo fuelled speculation about his retirement plans after saying the coming year would probably be the last of his playing career.
- The 41-year-old Portugal captain is one of the most decorated players in football history, having won major trophies with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and current club Al Nassr since making his senior debut for Sporting in 2002.
- Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, was unable to add a World Cup title to his list of honours after Portugal were knocked out in the last 16 by eventual champions Spain, leaving the sport’s biggest prize absent from his trophy cabinet.
- Portugal then travel to face Norway and Denmark on September 27 and October 1 respectively, before hosting Norway on October 4.
- Portugal appointed the 72-year-old former Al Nassr boss in July, days after Spaniard Roberto Martinez stepped down following the country’s World Cup exit.
- ‘The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour,’ Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. 🚨 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇: Ruben Neves' reaction as Al-Taawoun fans repeat the name of his late close friend: "Jota, Jota, Jota…" 🙏 pic.twitter.com/2iPdA36H3i ‘This is no longer football, and there have to be limits.
What's still developing
- Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi side Al Nassr and was also a Portugal teammate of Jota, has called for action after the disgusting actions of some fans, urging lifetime fans to be dished out.
- The win took Al Hilal to the top of the Saudi Pro League but it was overshadowed by appalling behaviour by some of the home fans.
- Jota!’ aimed at Neves, a man who played alongside the forward for Wolves and Portugal before his tragic death in July last year.
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- Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football with 146 goals, had said he did not expect to play at another World Cup following this summer’s tournament.
- But the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could now remain involved as Portugal begin the road towards Euro 2028.
- Jesus, who managed Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr and won the league last season, replaced Roberto Martinez following Portugal’s last-16 defeat to Spain.
- Wales manager Craig Bellamy has named a 28-man squad for the four Nations League matches, with Leeds defender Jayden Lienou and Cardiff forward Cian Ashford among those selected.