Cristiano Ronaldo called up to Portugal squad

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Many expected Ronaldo to call time on his international career after Portugal's exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, although the 41-year-old did state it would be his last appearance at that particular competition.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner also told Vogue last month "this is probably my last year of football", further adding to talks of a possible international retirement sooner rather than later.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo has been included in the Portugal squad by new head coach Jorge Jesus, who worked with the striker at Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo, who has scored 146 goals in 233 games for his country, has been named in the squad alongside the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Joao Neves.

Lazio full-back Nuno Tavares has earned a recall after missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, while Borussia Dortmund's Fabio Silva has also been included.

Despite making just one start for Galatasaray this season, Rafael Leao has also been named in the squad by Jorge Jesus, along with Goncalo Ramos, who has scored just once since becoming AC Milan's record signing.

Portugal will begin its UEFA Nations League title defence at home to Wales on 25 September (AEST).

It will then face Norway, away first and then at home, either side of a trip to Denmark in League A Group 4 of the competition.

Portugal squad:

Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting CP) and Samuel Soares (Benfica); Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Tavares (Lazio), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Ruben Dias (Manchester City) and Tomas Araujo (Benfica); Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Palhinha (Benfica), Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) and Bernardo Silva (Real Madrid); Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Fabio Silva (Borussia Dortmund), Francisco Trincao (Al Ahli), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Goncalo Ramos (AC Milan), Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Pedro Neto (Chelsea) and Rafael Leao (Galatasaray).