Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Jorge Jesus’s first Nations League squad, ending months of speculation about his international future after Portugal’s Round of 16 exit at the 2026 World Cup, where they lost 1-0 to eventual champions Spain.

A new coach, an old symbol. Jesus, 71, was appointed in July on a contract running through the 2030 World Cup, and made clear from day one that he had no interest in a squad overhaul. He said limited preparation time made major experimentation too risky, and that his selection would closely resemble the group that went to North America, keeping the door open for Ronaldo. The two have history Jesus coached Ronaldo at Al Nassr, where they won the Saudi league together last season.

Managing the noise. Ronaldo faced criticism during the World Cup despite scoring three goals, with some in Portugal suggesting his presence had become more burden than asset. Jesus pushed back on that narrative directly, calling Ronaldo an untouchable symbol of the national team and someone who’s already written into its history, while stressing he judges players on form, not age.

What’s next. With Ronaldo now formally in the squad alongside Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot and Chelsea’s Pedro Neto Portugal open Nations League Group A against Wales in Lisbon on September 24, followed by a trip to Norway. Those matches should offer the clearest signal yet of what role, if any, the 41-year-old will play as Portugal builds toward co-hosting the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Morocco.