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September 29, 2026
Ronaldo could extend his Portugal career beyond the 2026 World Cup, with Jorge Jesus potentially playing a key role in managing the veteran forward. As Euro 2028 comes into focus, Ronaldo may yet have the opportunity to chase another major international trophy before finally calling time on his career...
Portugal’s decision to appoint Jorge Jesus as national team manager could ultimately help Cristiano Ronaldo extend his international career. The 41-year-old was expected to quit international football after the 2026 World Cup, but he has retained his place in the squad for the latest round of Nations League matches. Playing at the 2028 European Championship could now be an attainable target for a player who refuses to be held back by his veteran status. With Ronaldo seemingly hellbent on creating more history, Portugal’s odds of 7/1 to win the Euro 2028 title may be a tempting proposition for sports bettors. The sportsbook attached to this provably fair crypto casino platform could be inundated with wagers on the 2016 European champions if Ronaldo works harmoniously with Jesus. Read on as we look at the latest outright betting for Euro 2028, before assessing why Jesus could help Ronaldo finish his international career with a flourish.
🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo was asked whether he'll play at the 2028 EUROs for Portugal:
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) September 23, 2026
🗣️"I'm no longer at an age that allows me to think about the future. Many of you desperately wish I wouldn't continue. I know that, and I feel it from the way you ask your questions."
"If the… https://t.co/RfUh5fbS3a pic.twitter.com/Hg8Z5s2qzb
The Euro 2028 odds suggest a relatively clear top tier, with Spain, France and England leading the market ahead of Portugal. At 7/1, Portugal are still viewed as serious contenders, sitting ahead of Germany at 8/1 and well clear of the Netherlands at 14/1. That positioning reflects the strength and depth of Portugal’s squad, even as questions remain over how significant a role Cristiano Ronaldo could still play by 2028.
The sharp jump in prices after the leading nations also shows how concentrated expectations are around a small group of teams. Italy and Belgium are both 20/1, while Norway are 25/1, underlining the gap between the main favourites and the chasing pack. Portugal therefore sit firmly among the teams expected to challenge.
Ronaldo holds the world record for international goals, scoring 146 for Portugal since making his debut in 2003. That tally has earned him legendary status.
However, Ronaldo will have celebrated his 43rd birthday by the time Euro 2028 is staged. He is still in phenomenal shape, but time eventually catches up with everyone.
That factor is not lost on Jesus, who demonstrated that he is willing to make difficult calls by leaving Ronaldo on the bench in Portugal’s Nations League victory in Norway.
He insisted the decision was tactical rather than related to the captain's fitness and indicated that he could be restored to the line-up for the next game.
“I was thinking of putting him on, perhaps for half an hour, but then the game dictates other things,” Jesus told Portuguese broadcaster RTP, as quoted by A Bola.
“It was a tactical decision. I didn’t think it was the ideal moment. I needed a player with different characteristics, but that doesn’t mean he is out of the options, quite the opposite.
"There are still two games left, but it wasn’t to protect him physically, because he was in condition to play for as long as I wanted him to.
"He had the same opportunity as the others to play. Everything was the same. When I feel he needs to play, he plays, just as is the case with the others."
Those comments may annoy Ronaldo, who is accustomed to being a regular starter for Portugal. This is no longer the case, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Ronaldo still has the ability to win games on his own, but it is unrealistic to expect him to single-handed carry a nation’s hopes. Jesus clearly recognises this.
If Ronaldo trusts the manager over the next couple of years, he could feasibly end his international career with another European Championship winners’ medal.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Portugal is on October 1, against Denmark, for the UEFA Nations League. You can watch Denmark vs Portugal, Argentina vs Bolivia, Spain vs Croatia, Czech Republic vs England, Australia vs Brazil and Germany vs Serbia, all matches provided from our streaming football game pages.
Portugal next game:
Denmark vs Portugal kick-off time (01-10-2026):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 03:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+5.30: 00:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+4: 23:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+2: 21:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+1: 20:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 16:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 15:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 12:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / abola.pt / uefa.com
