The first chapter of Portugal’s post-Ronaldo era opens at the Estádio Municipal de Braga on Saturday 14 November, when Jorge Jesus’s side hosts Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, announced his retirement from international football on Thursday after 234 caps and a men’s record 146 goals.
“Portugal will always be a part of me. Farewell, until we meet again,” he wrote in a letter to supporters, confirming that the 1-0 home win over Wales on 24 September had been his final appearance.
Bruno Fernandes paid tribute within hours.
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“Thank you for the inspiration. It was a privilege,” the Manchester United midfielder wrote in a public message to his long-time international teammate.
Fernandes already wore the armband in October
The transition did not begin on Thursday. When Ronaldo walked out of the Portugal camp in September after being left as an unused substitute against Norway in Oslo, Fernandes stepped into the captain’s role and led Portugal to a 4-2 away win over Denmark on 1 October.
Ahead of the Norway rematch three days later, Fernandes was asked about the absent icon.
“Cristiano Ronaldo will never cease to be the greatest symbol of our national team, of our football, and of the country, for what he has done not only in Portugal but throughout the world,” he told reporters.
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The Portuguese Football Federation’s Disciplinary Council handed Ronaldo a 30-day suspension after the walkout, a sanction that expired on 30 October.
On the pitch, Fernandes is expected to be joined by Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva as the senior voices under Jesus. Vitinha, now one of Portugal’s most consistent performers at Paris Saint-Germain, is also being tipped to grow into a leadership role.
Jesus had kept the door open
Jesus, 71, took charge of Portugal in July on a four-year deal, having never managed a national team before. He had named Ronaldo in his pre-selection for the November window just days before Thursday’s announcement.
“He will never be a problem for the national team or for me,” the coach had said earlier in the autumn.
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The federation called Ronaldo “the greatest player of all time” and said it would organise a formal tribute. The final squad for the Denmark and Wales fixtures is due on Friday 6 November and will no longer include him.
Jesus’s pre-selection added four newcomers ahead of the window: goalkeeper Samuel Soares, defender Nuno Tavares, midfielder João Palhinha and forward Fábio Silva. They join a core of Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, João Neves, Rafael Leão, Gonçalo Ramos and João Félix.
Portugal top League A Group 4 with 12 points from four wins, six clear of Denmark. After hosting the Danes in Braga, Portugal travel to Cardiff to face Wales on 17 November.
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