Cristiano Ronaldo announced after leaving the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16, which was the last time he participated. CR7 could not conquer the World Cup trophy, the only title missing in the collection of the Portuguese superstar.
After Roberto Martinez resigned, the Portuguese Football Federation appointed Mr. Jorge Jesus (71 years old) as captain. Right in the first press conference when debuting for the new team, the former coach of Al Nassr received questions about whether Ronaldo will participate in the 2030 World Cup or not.
Jorge Jesus signed a 4-year contract with the Portuguese Football Federation, so it will be until the 2030 World Cup. He is famous for not being attached to any team for too long, as evidenced by 21 teams in his career. With this contract when leading his home team, this may be the final stop in Jesus's career.
Last season, Jorge Jesus helped Al Nassr win the Saudi Pro League for the first time since Ronaldo joined in 2021. That is also CR7's first title since coming to Saudi Arabia to play football. If the two teachers and students accompany each other for another 4 years, when the 2030 World Cup kicks off, Jesus will reach the age of 75, and Ronaldo will be 45!
Jorge Jesus is known as "King Midas". He has led many teams in his career and often has titles wherever he sets foot. In the past, in the Portuguese, Brazilian or Saudi Arabia tournaments, Jorge Jesus's name has always been mentioned for his talent. The Portuguese national team from 2016 to now has won EURO and 2 Nations Leagues, they only lack the World Cup title and Jesus is given faith for that ultimate goal.
In terms of personality, Jorge Jesus is famous for being strict in coaching, completely different from Roberto Martinez. The 71-year-old coach is a risk-loving person, willing to make unexpected tactical changes in important matches, completely different from Martinez's excessive safety.
Regarding Ronaldo's case, Jesus is having a good relationship as the two teachers and students have just won the Saudi Pro League together. In the immediate future, in campaigns such as the 2027 Nations League or EURO 2028, Ronaldo may still participate when he has not said goodbye to his international playing career. But further, the 2030 World Cup, that is a completely different story.
As long as Ronaldo is playing and qualified to play, I will choose him but within certain limits, according to the conditions I think are best to serve the national team.
I have never talked to Ronaldo, but he has never been a problem (negative) for the Portuguese national team. On the contrary, CR7 is also a symbol of this football nation, worthy of being recorded in history books.
I am very happy to have worked with Ronaldo last season, he is a very easy person to coordinate with. Soon, we will have a private conversation to listen to what Ronaldo wants in the upcoming journey" - Jorge Jesus shared.
Jorge Jesus has played for many clubs in his home country of Portugal, so he has a deep understanding of the current generation of players of the "European Selecao". Stars such as Bruno Fernandes, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leao and Joao Felix have all been led by this veteran coach in many different periods. Therefore, Jorge Jesus's advantage is that he does not spend time getting acquainted with personnel considered the core of the national team.
However, in his career, Jesus has never worked for a team for more than 4 years, except for the only case being Benfica in the period 2009 - 2015. At that time, he and the Da Luz team won Primeira Liga 3 times and reached the Europa League final 2 times.
The habit of success in the short term will be a major obstacle for Jorge Jesus when signing a 4-year contract to lead the Portuguese national team. However, that is a matter of the future, no one can know for sure. With Jorge Jesus, Portuguese football fans can rest assured that their team will no longer play with a pale tone like the 2026 World Cup.
