New Era Begins: Jorge Jesus Names First Portugal Squad Post-Ronaldo
Head coach Jorge Jesus reveals a 28-member Portugal squad for the Nations League, focusing on youth and new faces after Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement.
The legendary era of Cristiano Ronaldo has officially come to a close, and Portugal is now stepping into a bold new chapter. Head coach Jorge Jesus has announced a 28-member Portugal squad announcement for the final two Group A4 fixtures of the UEFA Nations League, marking the first time the team will take the field without their iconic captain.
Fresh Faces and New Blood
With the departure of Ronaldo, Coach Jesus is leaning heavily into the future. The squad sees the introduction of two debutants: FC Porto defender Alberto Costa and Monza striker Gustavo Varela. Varela, in particular, arrives with significant momentum, currently dominating the Serie A scoring charts with nine goals to his name.
The overhaul doesn't stop there. Jesus revealed that seven new players have been integrated into the group compared to the previous selection. Highlighting the shift toward youth, the coach noted that five of these newcomers are graduates from the under-21 national team.
"We intend to value the performance they have demonstrated at their respective clubs, which we consider compatible with a call-up to the senior national team," Jorge Jesus explained. "Taking Cris's words, we want to focus on the renewal and future of the national team."
Squad Availability and Absences
While the squad is brimming with new energy, it is not without its setbacks. Francisco Conceicao will miss the upcoming matches due to a suspension following a red card received in the clash against Norway. Additionally, Nuno Mendes has been ruled out of the selection due to injury.
On a positive note, defender Joao Cancelo has made the cut. Although he is suspended for the first match against Denmark, he will be available to bolster the defense for the second fixture.
The Road Ahead
Portugal has already secured its place in the quarter-finals alongside Spain. However, the team is determined to finish at the summit of Group A4. Their remaining schedule is as follows:
- November 14: Portugal vs. Denmark (hosted in Braga)
- November 17: Wales vs. Portugal (in Cardiff)
The Complete 28-Member Squad
Goalkeepers
Diogo Costa, Rui Silva, Samuel Soares.
Defenders
Joao Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Alberto Costa, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Tomas Araujo, Antonio Silva, Goncalo Inacio, Nuno Tavares.
Midfielders
Ruben Neves, Joao Palhinha, Mateus Fernandes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva.
Forwards
Pedro Neto, Francisco Trincao, Rafael Leao, Geovany Quenda, Carlos Forbs, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos, Fabio Silva, Gustavo Varela.