Portugal names first post-Ronaldo squad with 7 new faces for Nations League
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus unveiled a 28-man squad for November's Nations League fixtures — his first since Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football earlier this week. The 41-year-old ends his career as the men's international record holder with 146 goals in 234 caps, plus Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles (2019, 2025).
Jesus made seven changes, bringing in Alberto Costa, António Silva, Matheus Fernandes, Carlos Forbs, Geovany Quenda, Rodrigo Mora and Gustavo Varela. Costa and Varela receive first senior call-ups; Mora and Quenda hope for debuts after previous squad inclusions under Roberto Martinez. Francisco Conceicao misses out (UEFA suspension), Nuno Mendes is injured, Goncalo Inacio omitted.
Premier League representation stays strong: Diogo Dalot, Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Matheus Fernandes (Tottenham), Pedro Neto and Geovany Quenda (both Chelsea). Portugal have won all four group games and need one point to top the group. They host Denmark November 14, then travel to Wales November 17.
Ronaldo's exit marks the end of a two-decade era. The new generation — led by Fernandes, Leao, Vitinha, Joao Neves — now carries Portugal's ambitions. For Nigerian fans tracking PL stars, this squad shows Chelsea's growing Portuguese contingent (Neto, Quenda) and Tottenham's Matheus Fernandes getting his chance.
Will this refreshed side maintain Portugal's dominance, or does Ronaldo's absence leave a leadership void no single player can fill?