Not Bruno Fernandes! Another 32-Year-Old Named Portugal Captain After Cristiano Ronaldo’s Exit | Football News

Last Updated:November 06, 2026, 20:15 IST

Jorge Jesus says that there is no mystery over Portugal’s next skipper after Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit.

Cristiano Ronaldo speaks with his teammates midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes and midfielder #10 Bernardo Silva (Picture credit: AFP)

Portugal men’s team head coach Jorge Jesus has said that star Real Madrid midfielder Bernardo Silva will be leading the national team, with the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo no longer a part of the international setup, having announced his retirement on Thursday.

Jesus addressed the media at Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras on Friday after announcing a 28-member team for Portugal’s final two Nations League group games, against Denmark in Braga on Saturday, November 14 and Wales in Cardiff on November 17.

Jesus revealed that he had planned to include Ronaldo in the team and only became aware of his retirement decision when the forward’s farewell video was released.

“In the national team, the coach doesn’t choose the captains; they are chosen by their caps. In this case, the five with the most caps. Curiously, they were all my players at clubs where I coached,” Jesus said.

“The logic will stay the same. The player with the most caps after Cris is Bernardo Silva. Rúben Dias, João Cancelo, Rúben Neves and Bruno Fernandes, not in order, but those are the five,” Jesus added.

“Bernardo is a player with a lot of experience, with a lot of quality, who is in good form at Real Madrid. He is a starter in one of the best teams in the world,” Jesus said.

At 32, Silva has made 115 appearances for Portugal, leading the current team ahead of Fernandes (97), Dias (84), Cancelo (77) and Neves (73).

The transition is far from symbolic. Ronaldo guided Portugal to their first major international title at Euro 2016, despite being forced off with an injury in the 25th minute of the final against France in Saint-Denis.

Ronaldo watched from the sidelines as Eder struck the decisive goal in extra time.

But Ronaldo’s international career also had its share of disappointments. Portugal exited the 2014 FIFA World Cup in the group stage, lost to Spain on penalties in the Euro 2012 semi-finals and suffered last-16 exits in 2018 and 2026, with a quarter-final loss in 2022.

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Who was named the new captain of the Portugal national team after Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement?

Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus announced that 32-year-old midfielder Bernardo Silva will lead the national team as the new captain following Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement.

How are team captains chosen for the Portugal national team under head coach Jorge Jesus?

Captains are chosen based on their number of caps, specifically selecting the five players with the most international appearances.

When did Cristiano Ronaldo announce his retirement from international football?

Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement on Thursday through a farewell video released just before the team selection for Portugal’s upcoming matches.

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