Portugal's new manager said he's still going to name Cristiano Ronaldo to the national team
· Yahoo Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo has said that the 2026 World Cup was his last after a 1-0 Round of 16 loss to Spain, but we haven't necessarily seen the last of him on the international stage representing Portugal.
Newly hired Portugal manager Jorge Jesus, who previously coached Ronaldo with Saudi club Al Nassr, directly addressed the aging superstar's future with the national team over the weekend. He didn't rule out a return — even if it isn't at the 2030 World Cup.
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Despite growing chatter that the 41-year-old should be replaced in Portugal's lineup, Jesus said Ronaldo will have a place on the national team as long as he wants to continue playing.
“I haven’t spoken to Cris yet,” Jesus said, per Sports Illustrated's Amanda Langell. “He will never be a problem for the national team or for me. As for the controversy, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
“When the time comes to make a decision, I will speak with Cris and with everyone else individually. Cris is a symbol of Portugal. He will go down in history. It has been a great pleasure working with him. He is incredibly easy to work with. I need to speak with him to find out what he wants to do. He has always told me that he wants to finish his career at Al Nassr. If he is in a position to be called up, I will do so.”
Has Cristiano Ronaldo officially retired from international play?
Ronaldo made it clear after Portugal's World Cup exit that he would not return in 2030.
"It’s been my last World Cup, yes," Ronaldo said. "But now I will have time to think, stay with my family and life continues."
That doesn't mean he has retired from international play, though it remains to be seen whether we see him again in an international tournament, such as the UEFA Euro 2028, or even a home send-off match.
Ronaldo's club career is also still ongoing. He has one year remaining on his contract in the Saudi Pro League, and he hasn't addressed his future beyond that deal. Right now, all he has said definitively is that we won't see him at the next World Cup.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Portugal's new manager said he's still going to name Cristiano Ronaldo to the national team