​The summer of 2026 will be long remembered for what might have been in Portuguese football. With five-time Ballon d’Or winner and national treasure Cristiano Ronaldo entering his sixth and final FIFA World Cup at the age of 41, there were high hopes that Portugal would showcase perhaps the tournament’s strongest midfield, yet former head coach Roberto Martínez never managed to make everything click. Spain knocked Portugal out in the Round of 16 thanks to a late strike from Arsenal’s Mikel Merino, and the search for a new coach to steer Portugal toward a brighter future began, with the next UEFA European Championship looming just two years away.
Jorge Jesus entered the scene, bringing with him a track record that included guiding Al-Nassr to its first Saudi Pro League title in 2019, a season in which Ronaldo starred and scored 28 goals in 30 games. When asked about Ronaldo’s international future and whether he would consider calling up the aging talisman again, Jesus told ESPN that he hadn’t spoken with Cris yet. “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.”
Like Ronaldo, Jesus does not seem deterred by age. At 71, this marks the veteran coach’s first foray into international management, as he signed a four-year contract that could see him lead Portugal through the next European Championship and the World Cup. The assignment represents a bold new chapter for both the team and its supporters, who hope Jesus can translate his club success into national glory on the world stage.
Speaking of his philosophy and approach, Jesus emphasized that age is not a barrier to success. “I’m 71, but I feel 50 because I’m healthy. I train every day—an hour or two. It’s going to be a tough challenge, but I’m convinced we’ll win.” He also reflected on Ronaldo’s impact under his leadership in the past, noting that Ronaldo could adapt his role to suit the team’s needs. “Under me, he used to cover eight kilometers per match, reaching speeds above 25 kilometers per hour. He played when I felt it was necessary. Sometimes I wouldn’t even name him to the bench.” Jesus added that his experience with Ronaldo gives him a distinct advantage, as twelve players who earned World Cup call-ups already have previous dealings with him.
Among those twelve players are prominent names such as João Félix, João Cancelo, Rúben Neves, Bernardo Silva, and Rúben Dias, all of whom are expected to play pivotal roles for Portugal in the upcoming campaigns. Jesus’s coaching philosophy centers on harnessing the strengths of these individuals while offering Ronaldo a role that aligns with the team’s strategic goals. The challenge, of course, will be balancing the veteran presence of Ronaldo with a newer generation of Portuguese talent, ensuring the national team remains competitive at the highest levels.
As preparations continue for the next major tournaments, Portuguese supporters will be keenly watching to see whether Jesus can translate his domestic triumphs into international success. If he can foster a cohesive system that leverages the experience and leadership of Ronaldo while integrating the younger stars who are beginning to define Portugal’s future, the nation could well be poised for a new era of success in European and world competitions.