The new coach of the Portuguese national team, Jorge Jesus, noted that Cristiano Ronaldo's physical condition is at a high level and believes that no large-scale changes are needed in the squad.
Experience with players
Jesus reported that out of the 26 footballers invited to the national team, 12 had previously worked with him. He emphasized that he knows all these players well and considers each of them a strong footballer, noting the large number of talents in the team and his belief in their potential.
Relationship with Ronaldo
Speaking about last season, Jesus mentioned that Al-Nassr played 50 matches, in which Cristiano featured in 31. The coach admitted that he substituted him 16 times and assured that there was never any misunderstanding between them, neither as coach and player nor on any other issues.
Planning the future squad
Jesus stated that he does not intend to part ways with any player unless they are injured. He also noted that new footballers will emerge over the next four years, so he plans to pay special attention to youth football development.
Team age profile
When asked about the need to restructure the team, he replied that there is no need for it yet. He specified that only six players in the squad are over 30 years old, and two of them are goalkeepers. Jesus refuted the idea that the team is old, pointing out that the average age of the footballers is 28, which is the best period for an athlete.
Upcoming matches
As a reminder, the Portuguese national team under Jorge Jesus will play its first match on September 24 against Wales. Previously, the Portuguese concluded their participation in the 2026 World Cup by losing to Spain 0-1 in the round of 16.