Portugal's New Coach Hints at Ronaldo's Potential Return to Play

WHO:

Daily Mail Sports - Jorge Jesus was unveiled as Portugal's national team coach at the Portugal Football Federation (FPF) headquarters in Lisbon.

Daily Mail Sports - Jorge Jesus, 71-year-old coach, replaces Roberto Martinez as Portugal's national team coach.

Sportskeeda - Portugal manager Jorge Jesus

Daily Mail Sports - Cristiano Ronaldo, 41-year-old star player

ESPN - Jorge Jesus, newly named Portugal coach

WHAT:

ESPN - Jorge Jesus stated, "I need to speak with him to find out what he wants to do. He has always told me that he wants to finish his career at Al Nassr," regarding discussions with Ronaldo about his future.

ESPN - Jesus mentioned that he has already coached two of the three best players in the world, referring to Ronaldo and Neymar, and added, "I'm not going for the third [Lionel Messi]. I told Neymar: 'Finish'."

Daily Mail Sports - Jorge Jesus stated, "If a player isn't performing... he should be substituted," in response to questions about Cristiano Ronaldo's playing time.

ESPN - Jesus mentioned that Ronaldo played in 31 of 50 games last year and was substituted 16 times without any issues.

Fox News - Ronaldo is the leading scorer for men’s international soccer with 146 goals.

Fox News - Ronaldo will be 43 by the time the 2028 European Championship rolls around.

Fox News - Jorge Jesus stated, "That’s a conversation we’re both going to have. What does he want to do for the future of his career?" regarding discussions with Ronaldo about his future.

Fox News - Ronaldo is under contract with Al Nassr through 2027.

Daily Mail Sports - Jorge Jesus, the newly appointed Portugal coach, stated, "I haven't spoken to Cris yet. He will never be a problem for the national team or for me."

ESPN - Jesus mentioned, "I need to speak with him to find out what he wants to do. He has always told me that he wants to finish his career at Al Nassr."

ESPN - Jesus expressed confidence in his ability to lead the national team, stating, "It's going to be a tough challenge, but I'm convinced we'll win."

ESPN - Jesus noted that he has already coached two of the three best players in the world, referring to Ronaldo and Neymar, and added, "I'm not going for the third [Lionel Messi]. I told Neymar: 'Finish'."

Daily Mail Sports - Jorge Jesus won the Saudi Pro League with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr last season.

ESPN - Ronaldo scored three goals in the World Cup but could not help Portugal past the round of 16.

ESPN - Jesus signed a four-year contract with Portugal to run through the 2030 World Cup.

ESPN - Jesus stated he would welcome Ronaldo back to the national team.

ESPN - Jesus substituted Ronaldo 16 times in 31 games last year without any issues.

WHERE:

ESPN - Portugal's Football Federation (FPF) headquarters in Lisbon

WHEN:

ESPN - Jorge Jesus' first game in charge will be on Sept. 24 when Portugal takes on Wales in the Nations League Group D opener.

WHY:

Fox News - The Portuguese federation parted ways with Roberto Martinez two days before announcing Jorge Jesus as the new coach due to Portugal's underwhelming performance at the World Cup.

ESPN - Jesus expressed that he needs to speak with Ronaldo to understand his future intentions regarding the national team.

ESPN - Jesus mentioned that Ronaldo is a symbol of Portugal and will go down in history.

HOW:

ESPN - Jorge Jesus has coached 11 clubs in Portugal and is considered the most successful coach of Flamengo, having led them to five major trophies from June 2019 to July 2020.

ESPN - Jorge Jesus has coached 11 clubs in Portugal, including Benfica, where he led the team to 10 trophies.

ESPN - Jesus indicated that he trained Ronaldo to cover 8 kilometers per match, reaching speeds above 25 km per hour.

Jorge Jesus has been officially unveiled as the new coach of Portugal's national football team at the Portugal Football Federation headquarters in Lisbon. In discussing his plans, Jesus expressed the need to speak with Cristiano Ronaldo about his future, noting that Ronaldo has always indicated a desire to finish his career at Al Nassr, while also mentioning his past coaching experiences with two of the world's top players, Ronaldo and Neymar. Jesus's first match in charge will be on September 24, when Portugal faces Wales in the Nations League Group D opener, following the federation's decision to part ways with Roberto Martinez after a disappointing World Cup performance.