“I don’t know, but I think he’s more likely to score his 1,000th career goal with Al-Nassr than with the Portugal national team,” Jesus noted when asked about the possibility of Ronaldo hitting the milestone during the UEFA Nations League fixtures.

Jesus emphasized that Ronaldo will be treated like any other player on the roster, making it clear that playing time will be earned on merit rather than reputation, after what happened in the 2026 World Cup, with Cristiano not having the best performance.

With Lionel Messi recently capturing headlines by scoring his 100th goal for Inter Miami, Ronaldo faces another pivotal moment in his career as he prepares for what could be his final season as a professional.

Portugal’s full squad announced by Jorge Jesus

Looking at the roster, Portugal are giving several players an opportunity to prove themselves as the national team builds toward UEFA Euro 2028, where they hope to capture the trophy for the second time in country history.

Here is the full squad selected by Jorge Jesus for his international managerial debut:

• Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting CP), Samuel Soares (Benfica)
• Defenders: Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Tomas Araujo (Benfica), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Nuno Tavares (Lazio), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona)
• Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Real Madrid), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Joao Palhinha (Benfica), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal)
• Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Rafael Leao (Galatasaray), Goncalo Ramos (AC Milan), Joao Felix (Al-Nassr), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Fabio Silva (Borussia Dortmund), Francisco Trincao (Al-Ahli), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus)

Portugal’s opponents in upcoming UEFA Nations League matches

As a former champion of the tournament, Portugal begin their pursuit of another title with four group-stage matches on the horizon. Here is a look at their upcoming schedule:

• Portugal vs. Wales – Sept. 24, 6:45 PM ET
• Norway vs. Portugal – Sept. 27, 6:45 PM ET
• Denmark vs. Portugal – Oct. 1, 6:45 PM ET
• Portugal vs. Norway – Oct. 4, 6:45 PM ET

These statistics could change, as Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to continue playing for Portugal. Two legends who have given 100% for their countries, and the end of an era that appears to be drawing near.

The reasons behind Messi’s decision

The latest defeat in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain was a major blow for Messi, who was later revealed to have played in the tournament while his father was in poor health. Following Jorge’s passing, the No. 10 felt that it was time to bring his career with La Albiceleste to an end, closing out a career filled with remarkable achievements.

That August 17, 2005, will forever be remembered in history as the date when Lionel Messi made his official debut for the Argentina national team. Twenty-one years later, his legacy will live on forever in the eyes of fans of this sport.

Ronaldo still wants more with Portugal

Although after Portugal’s 2026 World Cup exit Ronaldo said that it would be his final appearance in the tournament, he hasn’t retired from international duty yet. Therefore, CR7 is expected to join his teammates during the next FIFA international break.

It includes six matches, all of them corresponding to the UEFA Nations League. These are the final games the Portuguese national team will play in 2026:

• vs Wales, September 24
• at Norway, September 27
• at Denmark, October 1
• vs Norway, October 4
• vs Denmark, November 14
• at Wales, November 17

While Ronaldo confirmed that the 2030 World Cup was his last, he hasn’t retired from international duty yet. At 41, CR7 plans to continue representing his country in the upcoming international windows.

Ronaldo recently revealed this might be his final season playing professional soccer though, so his time with Portugal might be coming to an end as well. But unlike Messi, Ronaldo’s international career isn’t over yet.

Messi and Ronaldo’s international numbers

Both Messi and Ronaldo have left their mark on the international stage. While the Barcelona product is stepping away from Argentina with 207 caps and 125 goals to his name, the former Real Madrid star boasts 146 goals in 233 appearances for Portugal.

We’re talking about the only players in FIFA World Cup history to play in six different editions of the competition. Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ocha was also called up to six World Cups but, unlike Messi and Ronaldo, didn’t log minutes in each of those tournaments.

Messi and Ronaldo’s international trophies

While Ronaldo enjoyed international silverware before Messi by winning the 2016 UEFA Euro with Portugal, the Argentine star ended up surpassing CR7’s international titles.

Ronaldo added the 2019 and 2025 editions of the UEFA Nations League to his trophy cabinet, but Messi won the big one by leading Argentina to World Cup glory at Qatar 2022, apart from celebrating back-to-back Copa America triumphs (2021 and 2024), as well as the 2022 Finalissima. Additionally, Messi celebrated an Olympic gold medal in Beijing 2008 and the U-20 World Cup title in 2005.

According to FIFA’s official website, users have until July 27 to choose the best goal of this edition of the tournament. The list was narrowed down to 12 candidates, among whom is the Argentine No. 10.

On June 16 at Kansas City Stadium, Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina with an exquisite long-range strike. Luca Zidane, Algeria’s goalkeeper, was unable to stop the shot, which gave Argentina a 1-0 lead.

Another Argentine goal also appears among the nominees. The match against Switzerland seemed to be completely closed; however, a shot into the top corner by Julian Alvarez in overtime paved the way for La Albiceleste to seal the victory and secure their place in the semifinals.

The nominees for the Best Goal of the World Cup

From stunning long-range strikes outside the box to individual efforts inside the penalty area, these are the 12 goals nominated by FIFA:

• Kerim Alajbegovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), vs Qatar (1-0)
• Julian Alvarez (Argentina), vs Switzerland (2-1)
• Jude Bellingham (England), vs France (4-6)
• Sidny Lopes Cabral (Cabo Verde), vs Argentina (2-2)
• Erling Haaland (Norway), vs Brazil (2-0)
• Wilson Isidor (Haiti), vs Morocco (2-1)
• Elijah Just (New Zealand), vs IR Iran (1-0)
• Daizen Maeda (Japan), vs Sweden (1-0)
• Kylian Mbappe (France), vs Senegal (3-1)
• Lionel Messi (Argentina), vs Algeria (1-0)
• Eldor Shomurodov (Uzbekistan), vs DR Congo (1-0)
• Ferran Torres (Spain), vs Argentina (1-0)

Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup goals

Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from the national team once this tournament concluded, meaning he will not be with Portugal at the 2030 World Cup. The extraordinary forward finished his participation with three goals, two in the group stage and one in the knockout stage.

His first two goals came in the match against Uzbekistan. The last one, from the penalty spot, came in the game against Croatia, and it helped his team reach the Round of 16.

Jorge Jesus was appointed as Roberto Martinez’s replacement as the manager, and when asked about Ronaldo’s role with the national team, the new coach made it clear that CR7 will never be a problem for Portugal.

However, the Al-Nassr forward appears to have a clear vision for his future, opening the door for other players to succeed him in his position. Will this team change its tactics and formation? Will a new leader emerge? What will happen with the iconic No. 7 jersey?

Portugal’s potential lineup without Ronaldo

In their latest World Cup appearance, Portugal’s attack featured Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro Neto, and Joao Felix, supported by other offensive players such as Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves. Looking ahead to a hypothetical 2030 scenario, with many of these players potentially still part of the squad, this could be a potential lineup for this team without Ronaldo in the starting XI.

Diogo Costa; Diogo Dalot or Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias or Goncalo Inacio, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Pedro Neto; Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos or Rafael Leao.

It is important to highlight that the squad Portugal took to the World Cup was a young one, with many players under the age of 30. Consequently, barring any unforeseen circumstances, it is highly likely that the vast majority of them could still be representing their country in 2030.

Portugal’s forwards called up for the 2026 World Cup

Roberto Martinez looked for a mix of experience and youth in Portugal’s attack. However, everything revolved around the figure of Cristiano Ronaldo, who did not have his best performance at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

• Cristiano Ronaldo (C)
• Goncalo Ramos
• Joao Felix
• Francisco Trincao
• Rafael Leao
• Pedro Neto
• Goncalo Guedes
• Francisco Conceicao

Perhaps due to age and experience, there are several names that could take over the role in four years. Joao Felix, Pedro Neto, and Rafael Leao are likely among the players under greater consideration, although the natural candidate to replace CR7 could be Goncalo Ramos as Portugal’s new center forward.

Ronaldo’s greatest achievement with Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo reached the pinnacle of his international career when he led Portugal to a historic victory at Euro 2016, securing the country’s first-ever major trophy. Despite suffering an early injury in the final against France, his passionate leadership from the sidelines inspired his teammates to a dramatic 1-0 win in extra time. Recently, Ronaldo celebrated the anniversary of this achievement with fond memories of a moment that cemented his legendary status in world soccer.

What does the future hold for the number 7 jersey?

Although rumors circulated that the number 7 shirt would no longer be used by the Portugal national team, the truth is that there has been no official announcement regarding the matter. Therefore, everything points to it remaining in use, naturally by another player.

When and where will the 2030 World Cup be played?

The 2030 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June to July 2030. The tournament’s primary co-hosts are Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, where the majority of matches will take place.

However, to mark the centenary of the inaugural 1930 World Cup, three special opening matches will be held in South America across Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay before the competition moves to Europe and North Africa.

Both the USMNT and Portugal suffered heartbreaking defeats in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. In fact, had they both won those games, they would’ve faced off in the quarterfinals. They didn’t, and that’s why Belgium and Spain competed for a spot in the semifinals.

Although the Stars and Stripes and the Lusos fell in the same round of the knockout stage, the Americans hold the edge thanks to FIFA’s criteria to determine positioning between teams that exited the tournament in the same stage.

Thus, the USA ranks ahead of Portugal in the 2026 World Cup final standings. The USMNT finished as the 12th-best team in the world, while Ronaldo and Portugal came in an unlucky 13th.

FIFA’s criteria

“For the teams which exited the competition at the same stage, their position is decided by the following criteria: Total number of points from matches across all stages (matches which go to a penalty shootout count as draws), goal difference from matches across all stages, number of goals scored from matches across all stages. If two or more teams are still tied after applying the above criteria they share the same final rank,” FIFA’s official statement on the final standings read.

2026 World Cup final standings: Top 20

Only the first four places in the standings are decided by a direct matchup, thanks to the final and third-place game at the 2026 World Cup. The rest of the teams’ positions are determined by the round in which they were eliminated and how they fared across all games in the group and knockout stage.

The top four of the 2026 World Cup are virtually self-explanatory. Spain finished first, Argentina second, England third, and France fourth. In fifth place, the rowing Vikings emerged from the fog, as Erling Haaland’s Norway reached the quarterfinals and finished with 12 points across all their games.

Belgium (11 points) finished in sixth place, while Morocco and Switzerland tied for seventh after finishing level on all tiebreakers. Mexico and Colombia rounded out the top 10 in ninth and 10th, respectively.

Brazil finished 11th, the USA 12th, and Portugal 13th. Canada finished last among the co-hosts in 14th. From 15th to 20th, the countries are ranked as follows: Egypt, Paraguay, the Netherlands, Germany, Ivory Coast, and Croatia.

The worst team in 2026 World Cup

Iraq was the worst team at the 2026 World Cup. One could say the Lions of Mesopotamia were the worst by a landslide, but Tunisia did put up a fight in that debate.

Iraq lost all three group-stage games, scored only one goal, and conceded 12, finishing with a whopping -11 goal difference. The Eagles of Carthage, on the other hand, finished just ahead of them in 47th place thanks to their -10 goal difference. Tunisia also scored one more goal than Iraq.

Uzbekistan rounded out the bottom three, as they failed to earn a single point as well, but finished with a -9 goal difference.

The first instance occurred during the 1954 quarterfinal, famously dubbed “The Heat Battle of Lausanne.” The host nation, Switzerland, stunned Austria by racing to a 3-0 lead within the first 19 minutes. In an unbelievable response, Austria unleashed a ferocious counter-attack, scoring five goals in just 15 minutes to flip the match and ultimately triumph 7-5, a classic that has been relegated to second place in the highest-scoring games list in World Cup history.

Twelve years later, Portugal matched the record during the 1966 quarterfinals against surprise giant-killers North Korea. The North Koreans shocked the crowd at Goodison Park by sweeping into a 3-0 lead in under 25 minutes. However, the legendary Eusebio single-handedly rescued Portugal, putting on an absolute masterclass by scoring four consecutive goals to spark a stunning 5-3 victory.

France couldn’t make history in the 2026 World Cup

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place game, France faced off against England in a high-stakes clash. During the first half, the Three Lions put on a clinical display, scoring four goals while conceding none. This dominant performance came despite England fielding a heavily rotated lineup, leaving world-class forwards like Harry Kane on the bench as backup options.

While many spectators already assumed England had secured their spot on the podium as bronze medal winners, France mounted a stunning second-half response. Waking up quickly after the interval, Les Bleus fired back with three unanswered goals—fueled by a clinical Kylian Mbappe brace and a sharp finish by Bradley Barcola. The unexpected onslaught completely shifted the momentum, leading fans worldwide to believe a legendary comeback was genuinely possible.

However, just as France seemed poised to equalize, right-back Malo Gusto conceded a devastating penalty that Bukayo Saka effortlessly converted to complete his magnificent hat-trick. Ousmane Dembele subsequently found the back of the net to pull Les Bleus back within one at 5-4, but it ultimately proved too late. A final stoppage-time goal by Jude Bellingham mathematically shattered French dreams, put the game to bed, and sealed a chaotic 6-4 victory for England.

Cristiano Ronaldo commemorated this July 10, 2026, the 10th anniversary of the European Championship won by Portugal in France. The captain shared a photograph of the celebration with the trophy and wrote, “A victory of millions!“ ten years after the Portuguese side secured the first championship in their history at the senior level.

Following that elimination, Ronaldo generated a lot of buzz by comparing the value of the Euro obtained in 2016 to a World Cup. The forward highlighted the importance of that achievement for Portuguese soccer and stated: “I have won three titles with Portugal. Before Cristiano, Portugal had not won anything. The biggest title I won with the national team was in 2016, which, to me, has the same dimension of a World Cup, sincerely.”

How Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal secured the Euro 2016

In that tournament, the Portuguese path began with three draws in Group F: 1-1 against Iceland, 0-0 against Austria, and 3-3 against Hungary. Cristiano scored two goals and provided an assist in the final group matchup, a result that allowed the team led at the time by Fernando Santos to advance as one of the best third-place finishers.

Portugal then defeated Croatia 1-0 in the Round of 16 with a goal from Ricardo Quaresma during extra time. In the quarterfinals, they drew 1-1 with Poland following goals by Robert Lewandowski and Renato Sanches, and punched their ticket to the semifinals by winning 5-3 in a penalty shootout.

The Portuguese national team found their most solid performance against Wales. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with a header, and Nani extended the lead to establish a 2-0 win that took Portugal to their second European final, 12 years after the defeat suffered against Greece in Lisbon.

The most important final in Portugal’s history

In the final, they faced France. However, that match on July 10, 2016, changed for Portugal when Cristiano suffered a knee injury following contact with Dimitri Payet. The forward attempted to continue with a bandage but ultimately left the pitch on a stretcher in the 25th minute.

Cristiano remained near the technical area and accompanied Fernando Santos by shouting instructions to his teammates, leaving one of the best moments of the tournament. In the 109th minute, Eder received the ball outside the box and beat Hugo Lloris with a shot that decided the 1-0 victory. Portugal thus lifted their first title, and Ronaldo defined that night as one of the happiest moments of his career.

Addressing one of the biggest talking points surrounding Portugal, Jesus dismissed any suggestion that Ronaldo could become an issue for the squad. “Cristiano will never be a problem for the national team, nor for me. Cris is a symbol of Portuguese football. He wants to continue at Al Nassr and will end his career at Al Nassr. It’s easy to work with Cristiano,” Jesus said, according to Fabrizio Romano on X.

The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed Jesus’ appointment by welcoming the 71-year-old coach, who reunites with Ronaldo after recently working alongside him at Al Nassr. Their existing relationship is expected to provide continuity as Portugal prepare for the next stage of the international cycle.

Jorge Jesus backs Cristiano Ronaldo’s role with Portugal

Jesus’ comments arrive after criticism surrounding Ronaldo’s role during Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign, when some questioned whether the 41‑year‑old should continue as a regular starter, as Youri Djorkaeff blamed Portugal’s squad for not giving Cristiano Ronaldo enough support.

Rather than fueling that debate, the new Portugal manager made it clear he views Ronaldo as one of the country’s greatest soccer figures and emphasized that managing the veteran forward isn’t a concern.

Ronaldo expected to remain at Al Nassr

Beyond discussing the national team, Jesus also indicated that Ronaldo, who recently addressed his future with Portugal, intends to remain with Al Nassr for the remainder of his playing career.

The comments reinforce the veteran forward’s commitment to the Saudi Pro League while ending speculation about a possible move elsewhere. With his club future seemingly settled, Ronaldo’s focus now shifts to helping Portugal under a new coaching staff as Jesus begins his tenure leading the national team.

“The team should have played for Cristiano Ronaldo. You could feel that he was boycotted by his own team. He wasn’t given the service, he wasn’t put in the best possible conditions,” Djorkaeff told RMC about the Portugal squad.

“We all know Cristiano. He’s been playing the same way for years. What were you expecting? That he would suddenly change? If you decide to play him, then you make sure the team plays for Cristiano. What I didn’t like about this team is that everyone shifted the blame onto Cristiano,“ Djorkaeff concluded.

Portugal’s tactical freezeout in 2026

During the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo cut a visibly isolated figure upfront as a lone striker. His teammates repeatedly ignored his runs, choosing lateral passes over decisive crosses into the penalty box. This clear lack of service completely starved him of the ball during crucial attacking phases.

Consequently, this frustrating disconnect directly led to his historically low goal-scoring percentage throughout the tournament. Without a steady supply of creative passes, even a legendary finisher cannot find the back of the net.

Can a new strategy defy age for Ronaldo?

Looking ahead to the upcoming UEFA qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup, age remains an undeniable factor. However, Ronaldo’s elite physical conditioning suggests he could still offer a massive presence in the penalty area.

A new head coach could potentially rebuild Portugal’s entire offensive strategy directly around his historic strengths. By focusing the team’s tactics on maximizing his positioning, they could prolong his international impact despite his advancing years.

The Portuguese star posted the words “Portugal sempre” alongside two photographs. One image showed Ronaldo wearing a jacket with the national team crest, while the other captured him embracing his teammates during a group talk.

The message (“Portugal always”) arrived shortly after Portugal’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 in Dallas, a result that ended Ronaldo’s final opportunity to win the FIFA World Cup during his career.

Cristiano Ronaldo sends message after Portugal’s exit from 2026 World Cup

Portugal entered the 2026 World Cup with high expectations and a talented squad capable of competing for the title. However, their campaign came to a disappointing end against Spain, who secured a narrow 1-0 victory in the Round of 16.

The loss officially confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo would leave the tournament without the one major trophy that had remained missing from his legendary career.

Is Cristiano Ronaldo retiring?

Despite the emotional nature of Portugal’s elimination, Cristiano Ronaldo’s post did not include any announcement regarding his retirement from international soccer.

For now, the message appears to be one of unity and support for Portugal rather than a farewell statement. By writing “Portugal sempre“, Ronaldo emphasized his continued connection to the national team and the pride he feels in representing his country.

Whether or not he decides to continue his international career, the post has already become one of the most discussed reactions following Portugal’s exit from the 2026 World Cup.