Portugal has named Jorge Jesus as its new national team coach, a move announced Friday following the team's disappointing performance at the recent World Cup.
Jesus, a 71-year-old veteran of Portuguese football, replaces Spaniard Roberto Martínez. Martínez departed after Portugal was eliminated from the World Cup in the round of 16 with a 1-0 loss to Spain. The Portuguese national team confirmed the appointment on X, stating, "A new journey begins today. Welcome to the National Team, Mister Jorge Jesus."
Jesus's previous coaching role was with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Arabian league, where he managed Portugal's star player, Cristiano Ronaldo. His extensive coaching experience includes leading prominent Portuguese clubs such as Benfica and Sporting Lisbon.
Portugal's World Cup campaign ignited discussions regarding the role of the 41-year-old Ronaldo. Questions arose about his playing time and the team's offensive strategy, which often centered on feeding the veteran striker. Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in men's international soccer with 146 goals, had previously indicated that the World Cup would be his last. However, he has not yet announced a date for his retirement from international play. He would be 43 by the time of the next major tournament, the 2028 European Championship.
During his introductory press conference on Friday, Jesus referred to Ronaldo as a "symbol" of Portuguese sports. He stated that a conversation is necessary to determine Ronaldo's future intentions regarding his international career. "That’s a conversation we’re both going to have. What does he want to do for the future of his career?" Jesus told reporters.
Ronaldo's current contract with his Saudi club extends through 2027. Regardless of Ronaldo's decision, Jesus inherits a Portugal squad rich in talent, particularly in midfield with players like Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, and João Neves.