​After Portugal’s exit from the World Cup at the hands of Spain, a new era for Portuguese football has begun, and Cristiano Ronaldo still looms as a potential piece of the puzzle. The Portuguese side arrived in the tournament with lofty expectations, boasting what many considered the strongest midfield in the competition and carrying momentum from a Nations League triumph over Spain. Finishing second in their group and stumbling at the last-16 stage, the campaign did little to settle debates about Ronaldo’s place in the national team. For many observers, this tournament signaled Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance.
But Jorge Jesus’s recent remarks suggest that the door may not be completely closed on Ronaldo. At 41, Ronaldo would be 45 by the time the next World Cup arrives—typically a disqualifying factor for most players. Yet Jesus did not treat age as an absolute boundary. In his first press conference since taking charge, he addressed Ronaldo’s future with a measured optimism. Asked about the Portugal icon’s continued role, Jesus said: “As long as he’s playing and is in a condition to be selected, I will pick him, within certain limits and under the conditions that I consider best for the national team. I haven’t spoken with [Ronaldo] yet. [He] is never going to be a problem for the national team. Not for the national team, nor for me. I had great pleasure working with him this past year; it’s easy to work with him.”
The response from listeners and observers was mixed. Even during this World Cup, questions persisted about Ronaldo’s fit in the starting XI, and those debates will intensify as the team looks ahead four years. If Jesus’s plans hold, Ronaldo’s inclusion would hinge on the delicate balance between his ongoing form, his fitness, and the evolving needs of the squad. Four years is a long time in football, and the landscape could shift in ways that make a Ronaldo return more of a symbolic late-stage cameo than a central strategic choice. Still, Jesus’s comments left room for possibility, challenging outright dismissal of the veteran as a mere relic of past glories.
Ronaldo’s relationship with Jesus adds another layer to the decision. The two worked together at Al-Nassr in the previous season, with Jesus guiding the side to a Saudi Pro League title. That shared history implies loyalty and a mutual respect, factors that could influence selection decisions. But loyalty can’t overshadow the imperative of fielding the best team possible. The manager’s obligation is to the national team’s competitive prospects, and that might require a hard assessment of how Ronaldo’s presence affects dynamics, chemistry, and performance on the pitch.
As the national team contends with a future that will require fresh energy and strategic evolution, the possibility remains that Ronaldo might still have a role to play—however large or small that role ends up being. His legendary status is undeniable, and his leadership quality could contribute off the field even if his on-field minutes dwindle. On the other hand, to persist with him beyond his prime would demand a clear and compelling rationale rooted in current form and tactical fit, not sentiment or reputation alone.
The broader question extends beyond Ronaldo to Portugal’s long-term strategy. This cycle has underscored how quickly a team can evolve and how crucial it is to blend veteran experience with a new wave of talent. If Jesus can harmonize that balance, Portugal may transition smoothly into the next phase of its development. Ronaldo’s potential presence in the squad would then be less about a headline-grabbing return and more about a considered contribution that serves the team’s best interests, both now and in the years ahead. Whether that will become a reality remains to be seen, but Jesus’s openness to utilizing Ronaldo under the right conditions keeps the door ajar for the possibility of one more chapter in a storied international career.