Opinions, analysis and commentary
Jorge Jesus will use Ronaldo as a second striker rather than a deep-lying creator, leaning on the partnership that just won Al-Nassr a Saudi Pro League title. That means fewer touches in midfield and more time in the box, where the 41-year-old still does his best work. Portugal’s new coach inherits a captain who wept after the World Cup exit to Spain, then chose to stay. The question now is whether club efficiency survives the jump back to international football, with 1,000 career goals also in view.
Cristiano Ronaldo walked off after his sixth and final World Cup in tears. Portugal had just lost 1-0 to Spain in the round of 16 on 6 July 2026, and he said he had given everything and could leave with a clear conscience. He refused to settle his international future that night.
The answer came on 23 September, the eve of Portugal’s opener in the competition. After talks with the federation president and the new coach, the 41-year-old confirmed he was staying. He still believes he can help the team reach its goals, and says he’ll step away once he stops contributing.
Roberto Martinez left by mutual agreement after the World Cup exit. Portugal moved quickly, handing Jorge Jesus, 71, a four-year contract on 10 July 2026. He arrived straight from winning the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, a season in which Ronaldo scored 29 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions under him.
That shared history is the whole appeal of the appointment. Jesus has just watched a full season of what Ronaldo can still give at this age, from the runs he makes to the workload he can carry. Portugal hired the man who last got the best out of him.
Jesus has been open about the shift. In his plan, Ronaldo operates more as a second striker than a third midfielder, which frees him from dropping deep to link play. He also confirmed the captain would start against Wales, a statement of trust rather than a courtesy.
That first match came on 24 September 2026 at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, as Portugal opened the defence of the title they won in 2025. Denmark and Norway follow in the same window, before Denmark and Wales return in November. The numbers show why he wants his forward nearer goal.
| Coach | Team | Matches | Goals | Minutes per Goal |
| Jorge Jesus | Al-Nassr (2025-26 Saudi Pro League) | 30 | 28 | ~96 |
| Roberto Martinez | Portugal (2026 World Cup) | 5 | 3 | ~147 |
The gap in minutes per goal is stark. At Al-Nassr, Ronaldo scored roughly every 96 minutes, while at the World Cup under Martinez it stretched to around 147.
The World Cup told two stories at once. Ronaldo played 490 minutes across five matches, scoring twice against Uzbekistan and converting a penalty against Croatia. Then he drew a blank in the last-16 defeat to Spain, where he managed just 19 touches.
Those 19 touches are the problem Jesus has to solve. A 41-year-old forward can’t be asked to fetch the ball from deep and still arrive fresh in the box. Under Jesus at Al-Nassr, he turned 2,614 league minutes into 28 goals, a far sharper return. Portugal can offer something Al-Nassr couldn’t, which is a stronger supporting cast. The flip side is fewer minutes on the ball for their captain. Whether that efficiency travels is the test of this autumn.
Ronaldo went into the Wales match on 979 career goals, with 833 for his clubs and 146 for Portugal in 233 caps. That leaves him 21 short of 1,000. He has described the idea of reaching the landmark in a Portugal shirt as beautiful, though his own projection points to Al-Nassr getting there first through Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League Elite fixtures.
For Jesus, the milestone is a side plot. His job is to keep his captain fit, productive and central to a title defence and a Euro 2028 qualifying campaign that will shape the last chapter of this career. Get the Ronaldo Nations League 2026 role right, and the goals should follow on their own.
Should Jesus keep Ronaldo as a pure second striker even if Portugal lose some control in midfield? Tell us in the comments.
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Is Ronaldo still playing for Portugal?
Yes, Ronaldo is continuing with Portugal at 41. He confirmed the decision on 23 September 2026 after talks with the federation president and new coach Jorge Jesus, two months after the World Cup exit to Spain.
Who is Portugal’s new head coach?
Jorge Jesus is Portugal’s new head coach. The 71-year-old signed a four-year contract on 10 July 2026, replacing Roberto Martinez after the round-of-16 defeat to Spain, and arrived fresh from winning the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr.
How many goals does Ronaldo need to reach 1,000?
Ronaldo needs 21 more goals to reach 1,000. He entered Portugal’s match against Wales with 979 career goals, made up of 833 at club level and 146 for his country in 233 caps.
When did Portugal play Wales under Jorge Jesus?
Portugal hosted Wales on 24 September 2026 in Jesus’s first match in charge. The game was played at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, with Denmark and Norway to follow in the same international window.
Did Jorge Jesus coach Ronaldo at Al-Nassr?
Yes, Jesus coached Ronaldo at Al-Nassr during the 2025-26 season. Together, they won the Saudi Pro League title, with Ronaldo scoring 29 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions under him.
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