Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, Stays With Portugal: Jorge Jesus Makes Huge Call as Ronaldo Chases 1,000 Goals

Cristiano Ronaldo is not saying goodbye to Portugal just yet. The 41-year-old superstar has been named in new head coach Jorge Jesus’ first Portugal squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, giving fans another chance to watch one of football’s greatest-ever players in the national shirt.

Ronaldo’s inclusion is particularly significant because he had already indicated that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be his final appearance at the tournament. He also fueled retirement speculation in August by suggesting that the coming season could be the final year of his playing career.

Yet, for now, the Portugal captain remains available for international duty.

Jorge Jesus announced a 25-man squad on September 18, with Ronaldo among the experienced names retained following Portugal’s disappointing World Cup exit against Spain. FIFA also confirmed that Jesus has largely maintained the core of the squad that represented Portugal at the World Cup.

Ronaldo gets another Portugal chapter

The biggest question surrounding the squad was always going to be Ronaldo.

At 41, he is entering an entirely different stage of his career. However, his numbers with Portugal remain extraordinary. Ronaldo has scored 146 international goals, the world record in men’s international football, and has made 233 appearances for his country. UEFA confirms that he remains both the men’s international goalscoring record-holder and appearance record-holder.

His international career began back in 2003. More than two decades later, he is still being selected for Portugal.

That alone tells you how unusual Ronaldo’s career has been.

He has already experienced almost everything possible with his country, including winning the 2016 European Championship and the UEFA Nations League. The one major international prize missing from his collection is the FIFA World Cup.

Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended in the round of 16 with a 1-0 defeat to eventual champions Spain. That result also brought Roberto Martinez’s time as Portugal coach to an end, paving the way for Jesus to take charge.

Now, the Ronaldo era continues under a familiar face.

Jorge Jesus knows Ronaldo very well

There is an interesting connection behind Ronaldo’s selection.

Jorge Jesus previously coached Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where the two worked together during the club’s title-winning campaign last season. Jesus therefore already knows the Portuguese forward and has seen him work closely from a club perspective.

But Jesus made one thing very clear when discussing Ronaldo’s position in the national team.

The new Portugal boss said that Ronaldo would be treated like every other player when it comes to performance and selection. If he performs well, he plays. If he does not perform well, he does not play.

At the same time, Jesus acknowledged that Ronaldo’s status is different because of everything he has achieved.

The coach pointed to Ronaldo’s five Ballon d’Or awards while making it clear that his past achievements would not influence team selection.

That could make Ronaldo’s next few international appearances especially interesting.

There is no automatic guarantee of playing time simply because of his name. At the same time, Portugal still has a player who has repeatedly shown that he can produce decisive moments on the biggest stages.

The 1,000-goal chase continues

Ronaldo also has another massive personal target sitting in front of him: 1,000 career goals.

He is currently reported to be on 979 career goals, leaving him just 21 short of the extraordinary milestone.

The 1,000-goal mark has become one of the biggest storylines surrounding Ronaldo’s final years as a professional footballer. Every goal now carries additional significance because supporters are watching to see whether he can reach four figures before ending his career.

Interestingly, Jorge Jesus does not expect Ronaldo’s 1,000th goal to come while playing for Portugal.

When asked whether he could imagine Ronaldo reaching the milestone with the national team, Jesus suggested that the forward was more likely to achieve it with Al-Nassr than Portugal.

That comment adds another layer to Ronaldo’s international future.

If Ronaldo continues playing for Portugal, however, there will inevitably be attention on every goal he scores. His record of 146 international goals already puts him well clear of the previous men’s international scoring benchmark. UEFA’s records show just how far ahead he has moved in the international goalscoring race.

Portugal’s Nations League schedule

Portugal’s new Nations League campaign begins on September 24, when the European champions host Wales.

Ronaldo and his teammates will then face a demanding sequence of matches.

Portugal’s upcoming fixtures are:

• September 24: Portugal vs Wales
• September 27: Norway vs Portugal
• October 1: Denmark vs Portugal
• October 4: Portugal vs Norway

The opening match against Wales will take place in Lisbon before Portugal travels for consecutive away games against Norway and Denmark. The group sequence then concludes with another meeting against Norway on October 4.

For Ronaldo, these matches represent the beginning of another international chapter.

They will also provide the first real look at how Jesus plans to use the veteran forward.

What happens after the Nations League?

That is the question Portugal fans will continue asking.

Ronaldo has not announced a definitive retirement date from international football. His comments about the 2026 World Cup being his final World Cup and his later suggestion that this could be his final year have naturally created speculation.

The 2028 European Championship is the next major international tournament after the World Cup. Ronaldo would be 43 by then.

Whether he intends to continue until Euro 2028 remains unknown.

For now, the only confirmed fact is that he is still part of Portugal’s plans.

And considering what Ronaldo has achieved throughout his career, writing the final chapter before it actually happens would be risky.

He has repeatedly surprised football fans with his longevity.

At 41, he is still scoring goals, still playing at the highest level of club football and still being selected for one of Europe’s biggest national teams.

The next few months could therefore become an important part of Ronaldo’s remarkable international story.

Portugal has moved into a new era under Jorge Jesus, but one of the biggest names from its previous generation is still there.

Cristiano Ronaldo is still with Portugal.

And with 1,000 career goals getting closer, there could be plenty more headlines before the legendary forward finally decides that his time in the national team is over.

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