Jorge Jesus says Cristiano Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or record will not influence Portugal selection

Jorge Jesus says Cristiano Ronaldo’s performances, rather than his five Ballon d’Or awards or extraordinary career, will determine whether the Al Nassr captain plays for Portugal.

Jesus named Ronaldo in his first squad as Portugal manager for the opening two rounds of the Nations League. The experienced Portuguese coach has taken charge after the departure of Spain’s Roberto Martinez and will begin his tenure with a group of the country’s leading players, including the 40-year-old Ronaldo.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday after announcing the squad, Jesus said Ronaldo would be selected on the same basis as every other player.

“If he is going to play, he will perform his role. His performance is what matters,” said Jesus.

The manager acknowledged Ronaldo’s exceptional status in world football but insisted his reputation would not guarantee him a place in the starting XI or even an appearance.

“The past does not count. His whole history is taken into account, but performance is what will determine, for him as for everyone else, the decisions I have to make in matches and training,” he said.

“And going back to Cristiano, he is a player like all the others. If his level is good, he will play, and if it is not, he will not play. That is how I deal with everyone.”

Jesus was also asked whether Ronaldo held a different position within the Portugal squad because of his achievements.

“Does Cristiano have a different status? Yes. His career is different, and he has five Ballon d’Or awards. But does that affect my decisions? No, it does not affect them at all,” he said.

He later added: “But is he different from the others? Yes, he is different.”

The comments underline the special historical standing Ronaldo enjoys in Portuguese and international football, while making clear that his involvement with the national team will remain dependent on the level he produces.

Jesus also revealed that 13 members of his squad are players he has worked with previously. He said that familiarity would help him at the start of his Portugal tenure, particularly because he does not yet have an established core group or settled first-choice team.

“That helps me, because I do not have a ready-made base or a settled core group. The national team is going to start playing, so within this approach there were a number of players who were important to me in making my decision and selecting the squad,” he said.

Asked about Ronaldo’s pursuit of a 1,000th career goal, Jesus said he believed the milestone was more likely to be reached with Al Nassr than with Portugal.

“I believe the possibility of Ronaldo reaching this achievement will be with Al Nassr rather than Portugal,” he said.