Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in the first Portugal squad named by new head coach Jorge Jesus, putting an end to weeks of speculation over whether the 41-year-old would walk away from international football for good.

Ronaldo had left his international future uncertain after Portugal's round-of-16 defeat to eventual World Cup winners Spain in July. When pressed on whether he would carry on, he said: "I will meet the family and take decisions with a calm head" — a statement that fuelled widespread speculation he might follow Lionel Messi into international retirement.

Jesus hands Ronaldo his recall

The Al-Nassr forward is among 25 players selected for Portugal's Nations League fixtures between 24 September and 4 October. Jesus, who took charge after Roberto Martinez stepped down following Portugal's World Cup exit, worked with Ronaldo last season at Al-Nassr, where the pair guided the club to its first Saudi Pro League title in seven years.

The appointment reunites a coach and player clearly comfortable with one another, and the decision to bring Ronaldo back into the fold signals that Jesus intends to keep building around the forward for the immediate future.

Age records and the road ahead

Ronaldo — who declared during the World Cup that the tournament would be his last — will turn 42 before next summer's Nations League finals, and will be 43 by the time Euro 2028 comes around. Should he remain in the squad through to Euro 2028, he would be in line to surpass former Portugal team-mate Pepe as the oldest player in European Championship history. Pepe was 41 years and 130 days old when he featured for Portugal at Euro 2024.

Portugal's Nations League programme begins at home against Wales on 24 September (19:45 BST), followed by an away trip to Norway three days later. They then travel to Denmark on 1 October before returning home to face Norway again on 4 October.

Manchester United pair Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot are also included in the squad, as are Ruben Dias of Manchester City and Chelsea winger Pedro Neto.