Portugal open their Nations League Group A4 campaign against Wales in Lisbon on 24 September, then travel to Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo three days later for what the calendar had finally lined up as a first career meeting between Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland.

According to a July report by Goal.com’s Moataz Elgamsal, carried by NBC Sports, a Portuguese agent has told the outlet that Ronaldo intends to end his international career after that Wales fixture at Sporting’s home stadium, where he first turned professional. Neither Ronaldo nor the Portuguese Football Federation has confirmed the claim.

Jesus leaves the timing with Ronaldo

Portugal’s new head coach Jorge Jesus, appointed in July after Roberto Martínez’s contract lapsed in the wake of the country’s 1-0 last-16 defeat by Spain at the World Cup, has publicly left the decision with the player.

“I haven’t spoken to Cris yet. He will never be a problem for the national team or for me,” Jesus said shortly after his appointment.

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“He has always told me that he wants to finish his career at Al-Nassr. If he is in a position to be called up, I will do so.”

The record Haaland is closing on

Ronaldo, 41, has 146 goals in 233 caps for Portugal, holding the international records for both goals and appearances. Haaland has 62 goals in his first 54 caps for Norway, a pace faster than Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé or Robert Lewandowski managed over the same number of games.

The two forwards have never shared a pitch in a competitive fixture, at club or country level, since Haaland’s senior debut for Norway in September 2019. Norway’s Ståle Solbakken-coached side will host Portugal on Sunday, 27 September, with the return fixture set for Porto on 4 October.

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