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Portugal climbs to FIFA top 5 with perfect record without Cristiano Ronaldo

Despite Cristiano Ronaldo's dramatic departure during the international break, Portugal won all three Nations League matches without him, climbing two places in the FIFA rankings to fifth place worldwide.

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Portugal climbs to FIFA top 5 with perfect record without Cristiano Ronaldo
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Portugal secured three consecutive victories in the Nations League without Cristiano Ronaldo and jumped two places in the FIFA rankings, now sitting fifth in the world with 1,807.69 points.

The 41-year-old captain walked out of the squad on the eve of the trip to Copenhagen to face Denmark, citing a lack of respect from head coach Jorge Jesus. A bombshell that failed to shake the group: the Seleção, which had beaten Wales (1-0) with him, went on to win against Norway (2-1), Denmark (4-2), and then again against Erling Haaland’s teammates (3-1).

This perfect record — four victories in four matches — earned Portugal an additional 19.84 points and secured their place in the quarter-finals of the competition. In the FIFA rankings, Bruno Fernandes’ teammates now sit ahead of Brazil (1,806.51 pts) and Morocco (1,805.34 pts), in a tight trio separated by just two points.

Only Spain (2,011.57 pts), Argentina (1,972.80 pts), France (1,958.86 pts) and England (1,925.59 pts) remain above them. The next international window in November will tell whether this momentum holds — and whether Ronaldo is part of it.

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