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; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, 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.

Whether Cristiano Ronaldo retires from international soccer for Portugal or not is a whole other topic. However, Jorge Jesus has managed the Portuguese ace at Al Nassr, which could sway CR7’s stance.

Roberto Martinez is the newest coach to join the list of managers to quit after going out of the 2026 World Cup. Martinez is now expected to return to the club level.

Jorge Jesus has a long, successful history as a manager

The 71-year-old is currently a free agent. Upon successfully delivering his promise to secure Cristiano Ronaldo‘s first Saudi Pro League title, Jorge Jesus departed the club by mutual agreement. Having executed his highly successful short-term mission, he walked away as a champion instead of signing a new deal.

Hence, he is available to sign for Portugal with immediate effect. Jorge Jesus has won 25 titles as a manager in his career. Therefore, he is a proven winner. He is one of the few managers to win titles in three different continents. Jorge Jesus won in Europe (Portugal), South America (Brazil), and Asia (Saudi Arabia).

There’s one big question over Jorge Jesus

Questioning Jorge Jesus as a coach is not a winnable debate. However, there is one key aspect that might concern a few if he takes the Portugal job after the 2026 World Cup early exit.

Jorge Jesus has never coached a national team. International soccer is very different than club soccer. There is less time to train, a whole scouting task must be developed and results must be immediate. It would be a challenge for him to adjust to a different workload.

At 41 years old, and surrounded by one of the most talented Portuguese generations ever assembled, this tournament appeared to be Ronaldo’s best opportunity to capture the one major trophy missing from his extraordinary career.

Instead, Portugal endured a frustrating campaign. The warning signs appeared early with a disappointing draw against DR Congo in the opener, followed by an inconsistent group stage and a difficult comeback victory over Croatia before Spain ended its World Cup dream.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s message comparing Euro to a World Cup

Reflecting on his international career, Cristiano Ronaldo defended the significance of Portugal’s UEFA Euro 2016 triumph and even compared it to a World Cup.

“I’ve given my best. I won three titles with Portugal. Before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal hadn’t won any title. So, I’m happy. The biggest title that I won with the national team was in 2016, the Euros, which for me has the same value as the World Cup, honestly.”

The statement immediately sparked widespread debate among fans and analysts, as many consider the FIFA World Cup to be the pinnacle of international soccer. However, for Ronaldo, Portugal’s historic European Championship victory carries exactly the same emotional value as lifting the World Cup would have.

Cristiano Ronaldo reflects on Portugal’s elimination

The Portuguese captain also shared his thoughts on the narrow defeat to Spain and the end of his country’s World Cup campaign. Despite the disappointment, Ronaldo insisted Portugal competed well and felt the match could have gone either way before Mikel Merino’s late winner.

“It’s always sad to exit a major tournament. It’s the World Cup. The team was evolving and improving. We delivered a good match in my opinion. The game could have gone either way, but that’s football. We have to get up and keep moving forward. It’s frustrating to go out like this, but I’m leaving with a clear conscience. Tomorrow will be another day and life goes on.”

The end of an extraordinary World Cup journey

Although Ronaldo’s international future has not been officially confirmed, the 2026 World Cup is widely expected to have been his final appearance on soccer’s biggest stage.

He leaves the tournament as one of the greatest players in history, having transformed Portugal into a consistent contender and delivered its first major international trophy, even if the World Cup ultimately remained beyond his reach.

“Yes, it was my last World Cup,” Ronaldo conceded to reporters post-match. “But as for the rest, as I’ve said, I don’t make decisions with a hot head. I’m going to be with my family, think things over, and carry on with life.“

After bursting into tears on the pitch at the final whistle, Ronaldo will now look to step away and recharge following a grueling calendar year. The veteran forward enters the offseason on the heels of securing his first official silverware in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, capped by a physically and emotionally exhausting tournament run with Portugal.

In the emotional aftermath of the defeat—which sends Spain marching on to wait for their next opponent—Cristiano was visibly shaken, knowing this marked the definitive end of his legendary World Cup career. In a passing-of-the-torch moment, Spanish phenom Lamine Yamal went out of his way to console the devastated icon, a class-act gesture from one of world soccer’s fastest-rising superstars.

Ronaldo pens an emotional message to his younger self

A reflection on his international future wasn’t the only poignant insight Ronaldo offered to the dense media scrum awaiting him in the mixed zone. The 41-year-old forward also shared a deeply emotional message directed at his younger self back in 2006, the year he made his tournament debut on the global stage.

“I would tell him to always give everything for his country and for the shirt he wears,” Ronaldo said. “Because when the time comes to say goodbye, he’ll leave with a clear conscience, knowing he gave everything and that there was nothing more he could have done.“

The search begins for Portugal’s next manager

Following Roberto Martinez’s abrupt decision to step down as Portugal’s head coach, joining the list of managers that left their teams after being eliminated in the World Cup, Ronaldo was pressed on the future direction of the national team’s coaching staff, specifically addressing rumors linking veteran manager Jorge Jesus to the vacancy.

“Jorge Jesus? That decision is not up to me. It is a decision for our president to make,” Ronaldo remarked. “And right now, this is simply not the right time to talk about who will come next.”

Following the final whistle, Cristiano Ronaldo headed toward the stands where the Portugal fans were located to thank them and say goodbye. He was seen with tears in his eyes, knowing it would be his last match in a World Cup, which he had confirmed in a press conference before the match as his retirement sits on the brink. However, a moment of solidarity was on display when Lamine Yamal approached to comfort him.

With this result, Spain also secured their spot in the quarterfinals, where they await the winner of the matchup between USA and Belgium, facing a more than complicated path to the final from here on out.

Spain narrowly defeat Portugal

In the match at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Spain won behind a single goal from Mikel Merino in the 89th minute of the match. Ronaldo was scoreless in his final World Cup game.

Before the match against Spain, Ronaldo told reporters, “Yes, this will be my last World Cup, and the most important thing is to enjoy it.” Ronaldo, in a more serious way, responded, “I’ll end my career, as I said a few years ago, when I decide to, not when you decide.”

Ronaldo was trying to get Portugal to the quarterfinals in a second consecutive tournament for the first time. But Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning their only World Cup title in 2010 in South Africa.

What decided the match

Star left-back Nuno Mendes went down with what appeared to be a muscle injury, something he was trying to play through in the tournament, and was replaced by Nelson Semedo. But facing Yamal, who is coming off a hamstring injury of his own, amplified the risk.

And on Spain‘s side, it was the key substitutions they made. The introduction of Mikel Merino and Ferran Torres provided the winning goal, with Ferran delivering a great assist to Mikel, who calmly finished at the near post.