Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix emerge as Portugal’s new attacking pair under Jorge Jesus

Portugal have found fresh attacking options under Jorge Jesus, with Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix making strong claims to lead the team as Cristiano Ronaldo’s international future remains uncertain.

Ramos has scored three goals and provided one assist in his past three appearances for Portugal, while Felix has also scored three times and set up another goal during the current international break. Their form has helped signal the beginning of a new era for the national side.

Jesus has won all of his matches since taking charge, and Portugal have already reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League. The team’s evolving attack has placed increased focus on two players whose international roles had not always appeared so prominent.

Ramos, who has often been used as a substitute for Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain, joined Milan this summer for 70 million euros. Felix, meanwhile, appeared to have been moved away from the media spotlight after his move to Saudi Arabia, but Spanish newspaper Marca reported that he now seems to have “returned”.

Jesus has adopted a 4-4-2 formation with Portugal. Vitinha and Joao Neves remain the central midfield partnership, while players including Joao Palhinha and Ruben Neves provide further options in that area.

The most significant change has come in the positioning of the attacking players. Ramos has become Portugal’s new reference point in the post-Ronaldo era, leading the line as the number nine. Felix operates alongside him as a second striker, with freedom to move across the attacking third.

Bruno Fernandes starts on the left, where he looks to move inside and find central positions. That leaves the entire flank available for Nuno Mendes to make overlapping runs.

“Goncalo Ramos, like all strikers, lives to score goals, and that is what he has done in the last four matches,” said Jesus, who gave Ramos his first appearance for Benfica before the striker’s multimillion-euro move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Felix’s resurgence is also closely connected to his manager. Jesus coached him at Al-Nassr last season, when the Portugal forward scored 20 goals and registered 13 assists in 33 Saudi Pro League matches as the club won the title.

Felix has also identified the position in which he believes he is most effective.

“As I have always said, my position is as a second striker,” he said. “If I play in that position, my chances of succeeding will be much greater.”

Jesus believes Felix’s previous difficulties were partly caused by how he was deployed.

“Joao Felix has played for the best clubs in Europe, but he did not produce the performances expected of him,” said Jesus. “He has played in many different positions, and I think the coaches did not understand the best way to use his abilities.”