Cristiano Ronaldo Joins Portugal Camp for Nations League

Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Portugal’s national-team camp ahead of the country’s UEFA Nations League campaign, which begins at home to Wales on September 24. The forward shared photographs on Instagram after arriving at the camp before the start of the tournament.

Ronaldo has been included in new head coach Jorge Jesus’ 25-player Portugal squad for the upcoming fixtures. Portugal’s schedule then takes them away to Norway on September 27 and Denmark on October 1, before they host Norway on October 4.

His arrival is significant as Portugal begin a new international chapter under Jesus, whose first squad selection came after he replaced Roberto Martinez as head coach. Ronaldo remains part of the national setup as the team prepares for a run of four Nations League matches across a short period.

Portugal begin a new campaign under Jorge Jesus

Portugal open against Wales on September 24, with the home fixture serving as the first competitive assignment in the listed Nations League programme. The team will then make successive trips to face Norway and Denmark before returning home for the second meeting with Norway.

Jesus’ squad includes three goalkeepers: Diogo Costa of FC Porto, Rui Silva of Sporting CP and Samuel Soares of SL Benfica. The defensive group features Gonçalo Inácio, João Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Nuno Tavares, Nuno Mendes, Renato Veiga, Rúben Dias and Tomás Araújo.

In midfield, Jesus has selected Bruno Fernandes, João Palhinha, João Neves, Rúben Neves, Vitinha and Bernardo Silva. Ronaldo is among nine forwards named, alongside Fábio Silva, Francisco Trincão, Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Ramos, João Félix, Pedro Neto and Rafael Leão.

The selection is Jesus’ first since taking charge following Portugal’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup round of 16. Jesus previously managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, where the pair won the league title together last season.

Ronaldo’s Portugal record remains a major marker

The 41-year-old has previously said that the FIFA World Cup this summer would be his final appearance at that tournament, though he has not confirmed when he plans to retire from international football. He would be 43 when the 2028 European Championship is held.

Ronaldo is the leading scorer in men’s international football with 146 goals and has won the Ballon d’Or five times. His standout achievement with Portugal came in 2016, when he helped the national side win its first European Championship title.

For Portugal, the immediate focus is on the Nations League opener against Wales and a demanding sequence of fixtures that follows. Ronaldo’s presence in camp confirms he will be involved as Jesus starts his tenure with the national team and Portugal look to make an early statement in the competition.