Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal: New Order Under Jorge Jesus

Portugal national team legend Cristiano Ronaldo will have to adapt to a changing status within the squad if he is to continue his international career. Under newly appointed head coach Jorge Jesus, the 39-year-old forward is no longer guaranteed an untouchable spot in the starting XI. This was stated by former Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira in an interview with the media, according to Goal.com. reports .

According to Luis Filipe Vieira, the appointment of Jorge Jesus marks the beginning of a new era for Portuguese football. With the team facing a rebuilding phase ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the experienced manager will strive to maintain balance within the squad. In particular, the role of Ronaldo, who has made 233 appearances, remains one of the most pressing topics.

A new coach and a fresh approach

Vieira, who worked with Jorge Jesus for a long time, highly praised the manager's professionalism. According to him, Jesus is decisive in his decisions and a specialist capable of finding common ground with any star player. In an interview with Antena 1, Vieira said: "I know him very well. He is an extremely professional coach. Not only I, but all the players who have worked with him can confirm this. The return of the Portuguese coach was a very important step for the national team."

At the same time, the former executive touched upon Ronaldo's future. He emphasized that the Al-Nassr striker must realize he has reached the final stage of his career. Although a good relationship was formed between Jorge Jesus and Cristiano Ronaldo during their time in the Saudi Pro League, this is not expected to influence selection decisions on the pitch.

Competition and rotation system

"I think Jesus knows how to handle this situation well. Ronaldo must also understand that his career is coming to an end. Sometimes he will play, and sometimes he will remain on the bench. This is a natural process, and the player must accept it," Vieira added. This means we may see Ronaldo more as a rotation player in Portugal's upcoming matches.

For context, Cristiano Ronaldo is the most prolific goalscorer and most capped player in the history of European football. His international records may remain unbroken for a long time. However, declining performances in recent major tournaments and the emergence of younger forwards are prompting the coaching staff to make serious changes.

Jorge Jesus's main goal is to free the team from dependence on a single star and head to the 2026 World Cup with a strong, balanced squad. Ronaldo's experience could prove useful on this journey, but his 90 minutes of action in every game are no longer guaranteed.