# Cristiano Ronaldo Included in Jorge Jesus' First Portugal Squad, Putting International Retirement Rumours to Rest

> Portugal's newly appointed manager Jorge Jesus has named 41-year-old forward Cristiano Ronaldo in his 25-man squad for the upcoming Nations League matches, quelling speculation regarding his international retirement.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Europe · **Published:** 2026-09-19 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/europe/purtagala-ki-tima-men-cristiano-ronaldo-shamila-nae-kocha-jorge-jesus-ne-snnyasa-ki-atakalon-para-lagaya-virama-33482 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal Football, Jorge Jesus, Nations League, Al-Nassr, Football News

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to continue his international football journey after being selected in the first senior squad named by Portugal's new manager Jorge Jesus. The decision settles ongoing speculation surrounding whether the 41-year-old forward would step away from representing his country on the global stage.

Questions regarding his future escalated following Portugal's elimination from the World Cup in July, where they suffered a round-of-16 defeat at the hands of eventual tournament champions Spain. Ronaldo, who had previously indicated that this summer's World Cup would serve as his final appearance in the competition, left the pitch in tears following the loss. At the time, he deferred any immediate commitment about extending his national team tenure, stating that he would meet with his family and make decisions with a calm head.

## Selection for the Four Nations League Fixtures
The Al-Nassr attacker features in a 25-man squad tasked with contesting four Nations League fixtures scheduled across a demanding period between 24 September and 4 October. Over an international career spanning 233 appearances for Portugal, Ronaldo has scored a record 146 goals.

His working relationship with Jesus is already firmly established. The 72-year-old coach managed Ronaldo at club level last season, guiding Al-Nassr to their first Saudi Pro League title in seven years. Their partnership will now transition to the international arena as Portugal begin a fresh chapter under new management.

## Milestones and Squad Composition
Ronaldo is slated to turn 42 prior to next summer's Nations League finals, and he will reach the age of 43 by the time Euro 2028 takes place. The current record for the oldest player to feature in the history of the European Championship belongs to his former international colleague Pepe, who made his final appearance at Euro 2024 at the age of 41 years and 130 days.

Alongside Ronaldo, the newly formed 25-man group features considerable Premier League talent. Manchester United duo Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes have both earned call-ups, joined by Manchester City defender Ruben Dias and Chelsea forward Pedro Neto.

## Schedule of Nations League Matches
Portugal will open their run of fixtures on home soil when they host Wales on 24 September, with kickoff scheduled for 19:45 BST. The team will then travel to face Norway three days later on foreign turf.

Continuing their travels, Portugal will visit Denmark on 1 October before heading back home to stage their concluding fixture against Norway on 4 October, wrapping up the four-match international window.

## What this means for you
For football supporters worldwide, Cristiano Ronaldo's national team recall guarantees further opportunities to watch one of the game's most prolific scorers in competitive international action.

- **For Viewers and Fans:** Speculation surrounding Ronaldo's international retirement is now officially over as he prepares for competitive matches starting 24 September. Supporters will be able to follow his performances across four Nations League fixtures against Wales, Norway, and Denmark.
- **Broadcast Timing:** Enthusiasts planning to watch live action should note the initial fixture timing. The opening encounter against Wales kicks off at 19:45 BST on 24 September, requiring viewers in various time zones to plan their schedules accordingly.
- **Record Pursuit:** Holding 146 goals in 233 international games, Ronaldo will have the chance to extend his scoring records. Observers and analysts will track his physical condition closely as he approaches his 42nd birthday ahead of next summer's finals.
- **Tactical Transition:** Supporters of Portugal will witness the initial tactical setup of new manager Jorge Jesus. Fans will closely monitor whether the chemistry that brought Al-Nassr domestic success translates successfully to the international stage.

## Why this happened
The recall of Cristiano Ronaldo stems from a managerial change, established club synergy, and the player's choice not to step away following the World Cup exit.

- **Managerial Familiarity:** Newly appointed coach Jorge Jesus worked directly with Ronaldo last season at Al-Nassr. The pair led the club to its first Saudi Pro League title in seven years, fostering strong professional trust ahead of Jesus' first international assignment.
- **Unresolved Exit After Spain Loss:** Ronaldo never confirmed an international retirement following Portugal's round-of-16 exit against Spain in July. He explicitly indicated that he would consult his family before making any final determinations, leaving the door open for continued selection.
- **Immediate Competitive Demands:** Portugal face an intensive schedule of four Nations League matches within an eleven-day span starting 24 September. Jesus prioritized proven goalscoring capability, relying on Ronaldo's unmatched record of 146 goals across 233 caps.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Has Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football?
No, he has not retired and has been selected in manager Jorge Jesus' 25-man squad for upcoming Nations League matches.

### 2. What is Cristiano Ronaldo's goalscoring record for Portugal?
Ronaldo has scored 146 goals in 233 appearances for the Portugal national team.

### 3. When is Portugal's next fixture scheduled?
Portugal are scheduled to play at home against Wales on 24 September at 19:45 BST.

### 4. Who holds the record for the oldest player in European Championship history?
Pepe holds the record, having played his final match at Euro 2024 at the age of 41 years and 130 days.

### 5. What prior working relationship exists between Jorge Jesus and Ronaldo?
The 72-year-old manager coached Ronaldo at Al-Nassr last season, helping the club secure its first Saudi Pro League title in seven years.

---
_TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._