Portugal: Jorge Jesus makes seven changes after Ronaldo’s retirement [Full squad]

Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has announced his first squad since Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football, making seven changes ahead of the country’s upcoming UEFA Nations League matches.

Ronaldo announced his retirement earlier this week, ending an international career in which he became men’s football’s highest-scoring and most-capped player. The 41-year-old finished with 146 goals in 234 appearances after making his senior debut in 2003.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward helped Portugal win their first major international trophy at Euro 2016. He also won two UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025, further strengthening his legacy with the national team.

Ronaldo’s international future became uncertain following an incident during the previous international break. Reports said he left the national team camp after being dropped to the bench for Portugal’s Nations League victory over Norway. He subsequently received a 30-day suspension from the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) before announcing his retirement. FPF president Pedro Proença has indicated that the federation intends to honour his achievements and contribution to Portuguese football.

Meanwhile, Jesus has included seven new players in his 28-man squad: Alberto Costa, António Silva, Matheus Fernandes, Carlos Forbs, Geovany Quenda, Rodrigo Mora and Gustavo Varela. Alberto Costa and Gustavo Varela have received their first senior call-ups, while Quenda and Mora will be hoping to make their international debuts.

Francisco Conceição is unavailable because of a three-match UEFA suspension following his red card against Norway. Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes is also out through injury, while Gonçalo Inácio has been omitted. Portugal have won all four of their opening Nations League group matches and need just one more point to secure first place and confirm their quarter-final qualification.

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Portugal will host Denmark on November 14 before travelling to Cardiff to face Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium on November 17. Their 28-man squad includes goalkeepers Diogo Costa, Rui Silva and Samuel Soares; defenders João Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Alberto Costa, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Tomás Araújo, António Silva and Nuno Tavares; midfielders Ruben Neves, Joao Palhinha, Matheus Fernandes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva; and forwards Pedro Neto, Rodrigo Mora, Francisco Trincao, Rafael Leao, Geovany Quenda, Carlos Forbs, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos, Fabio Silva and Gustavo Varela.