New Portugal boss Jorge Jesus refuses to rule out Ronaldo international return

Jorge Jesus has left the door open for Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the Portugal national team, telling reporters at his managerial unveiling that he would select the forward if conditions allow — a statement that directly contradicts the widespread assumption that Ronaldo’s international career ended at the 2026 World Cup.

Ronaldo scored three goals during Portugal’s 2026 campaign, including his first World Cup knockout-stage goal against Croatia, to bring his all-time World Cup tally to 11 — two clear of the previous Portuguese record set by Eusébio’s nine goals in 1966. Portugal were then eliminated by Spain, a defeat that prompted the dismissal of Roberto Martínez and the subsequent appointment of Jesus.

Jesus arrives with an existing relationship with Ronaldo, having managed him at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League as recently as last season, when the pair won the league title together. That familiarity appears central to his thinking on the subject.

“I haven’t spoken to Cris yet,” Jesus said. “[But, his involvement] will never be a problem for the national team or for me. When I have to make a decision, I will speak to him. But not only with him — I will speak to everyone individually.”

The new coach was careful to frame any recall as conditional rather than guaranteed. “As long as I understand how far he can go and how far I can go… He will always be the one to decide what he wants to do in his career. If he is playing and has the conditions to play — if he is eligible for selection, I will call him up, within the limits and conditions that I deem best for the national team.”

Jesus also acknowledged that one of his personal motivations for taking the Al-Nassr job had been to help Ronaldo succeed in Saudi Arabia, underlining the depth of their professional bond.

The development comes days after Ronaldo himself confirmed he will not compete at the 2030 World Cup — a tournament that will be partly hosted in Portugal — effectively drawing a line under his ambitions at that level. Whether a return to the national squad for qualifiers or friendlies remains a separate question, and one Jesus appears content to leave open for now.