Opinions, analysis and commentary
Gonçalo Ramos should lead the line. Portugal have won all three Nations League games under Jorge Jesus, and the open question is who plays at number nine after Ronaldo walked out. Ramos has the goals, an assist and the results with Portugal, while the alternatives bring either shaky form or no minutes at all. A fixed striker also gives Félix, Neto and Leão a clear reference point. The case for Ramos is strong, and the numbers back it up. Three games is a small sample, yet the pattern is clear.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, is Portugal’s record scorer with 146 goals, but the role is open because he walked out. After Jesus said he would start on the bench against Denmark, Ronaldo left camp on 30 September and said he would explain in time. It was the first time he has quit a Portugal camp in 23 years. That decision turned a bench debate into a real selection problem for Jesus.
He started the 1-0 win over Wales, lasted 67 minutes, and had a goal ruled out. In Norway, he stayed on the bench for all 90 minutes, and Portugal still won 2-1. They then won 4-2 in Denmark after he had gone. The early evidence says Portugal can cope without him.
Jesus opened with Ronaldo and João Félix as a front pair, and Félix scored the winner. In Norway and Denmark, Ramos led the line, with Bruno Fernandes central and Pedro Neto and Rafael Leão wide in Copenhagen. The pairing lasted a single game before Ramos took over the central role.
Félix has scored in every game, three goals in total, making him Portugal’s top scorer in the competition so far. Ramos has two, Vitinha one and João Cancelo one. Félix has now scored with Ronaldo beside him and with Ramos leading the line. That spread of scorers shows an attack that does not rely on one finisher.
Ramos has two goals and an assist in 185 minutes, close to a goal per 90. His club form is the worry, with one goal this season and no shots on target since 28 August. Ronaldo has three Saudi Pro League goals in 423 minutes, 0.64 per 90, after 28 league goals last season. On those numbers, Ramos is the only striker of the three producing for Portugal right now.
| Striker | Club Shots per 90 | Nations League 2026 Goals | Minutes |
| Gonçalo Ramos | 2.8 | 2 | 185 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 6.7 | 0 | 67 |
| Fábio Silva | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Silva has two goals in 109 minutes at club level but has not played for Portugal in this competition. That makes him an easy name to mention and a difficult one to pick. The shots per 90 figures are club league numbers this season, with Ramos taking 14 shots in 445 minutes and Silva four in about 110.
Portugal scored six goals in two games with Ramos up front, 3.0 per game, and one in the single game Ronaldo started. Three matches is a small sample, but the Denmark display was no fluke: 19 shots, 10 on target and 2.74 expected goals. Portugal scored seven goals across all three games, so the Ramos games stand out for volume.
| Striker Leading the Line | Games | Goals | Goals per Game |
| Gonçalo Ramos | 2 | 6 | 3.0 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 1 | 1 | 1.0 |
Ramos set up Cancelo’s opener in Copenhagen, scored the second and punished a loose Ørjan Nyland pass in Oslo. Jesus has said no player will change his ideas, so a fixed number nine gives Félix, Neto and Leão a clear reference point. That clarity is hard to find in a rotation, and it keeps Ramos in rhythm instead of in and out of the side.
Pick Ramos. He has the goals, the assist and the results with Portugal, and Ronaldo’s absence has not hurt them. His club form is a risk worth watching, and Fábio Silva is the unused alternative.
Portugal host Norway in Porto on 4 October, the next test. A repeat of the Denmark display would settle the argument. For Portugal Nations League 2026 striker options, the answer today is Ramos, with Silva held in reserve.
Should Jesus stick with Ramos if Ronaldo returns, or find room for both? Tell us in the comments.
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Who is Portugal’s starting striker without Ronaldo?
Gonçalo Ramos started against Norway and Denmark and scored in both. He has two goals and an assist in 185 minutes, close to a goal per 90 for Portugal.
Why did Ronaldo leave the Portugal squad?
He left camp on 30 September after Jesus said he would start on the bench against Denmark. Jesus said he was managing Ronaldo’s minutes, and Ronaldo said he would explain later.
Has Portugal won without Ronaldo in the Nations League?
Yes, Portugal won 2-1 in Norway with Ronaldo an unused substitute. They then won 4-2 in Denmark after he left camp, with Ramos leading the line in Copenhagen.
Who is Portugal’s top scorer in the Nations League?
João Félix, with three goals in three games so far. Ramos has two, while Vitinha and João Cancelo have one each, which makes seven goals in total.
Will Ronaldo play for Portugal again?
No decision has been announced. He has not retired from international football, and his next scheduled game is for Al-Nassr on 9 October, which is a club fixture for his Saudi side.
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