Portugal v Wales - UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A4 MD1 - Source: Getty
Portugal v Wales - UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A4 MD1 - Source: Getty
Bernardo Silva will lead Portugal into the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era, with head coach Jorge Jesus confirming the Real Madrid midfielder as the national team's new captain on Friday.
Jesus named a 28-man squad for the Nations League games against Denmark in Braga on Saturday, November 14 and Wales in Cardiff three days later. He also used his press conference to settle the question that had hung over the squad all week about the team's next captain.
There was no drawn-out debate. The armband, Jesus explained, follows a seniority rule. Speaking at his press conference, he stated:
“With the national team, captains are chosen based on their international appearances. Right now, there are five players with the most caps. Interestingly, all five of them have played for me at the clubs I've coached.
"We'll stick with the same approach. The player with the most international appearances after Cristiano Ronaldo is Bernardo Silva. Then come Rúben Dias, João Cancelo, Rúben Neves and Bruno Fernandes.”
Silva's 115 caps put him clear at the top of that list. Bruno Fernandes, on 97, comes next, followed by Rúben Dias (84), João Cancelo (77) and Rúben Neves (73).
Silva, who turns 32 this year, has scored 14 goals for Portugal since his debut in 2015 and was part of the Nations League-winning squads in 2019 and 2025.
Jesus also said he had planned to include Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad and only learned of the player's decision when the farewell video was released. As such, the first squad of the new era was built without the man who had worn the armband for more than two decades.
Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement closes a 23-year Portugal chapter
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, confirmed the end of his international career on Thursday in a five-minute Instagram video, pulling the curtain down on a journey that saw him earn 234 caps and a record 146 goals. He stated:
"The day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team. I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the honour and the responsibility of wearing it."
The announcement came after a 30-day suspension and a €255 fine after he left the camp on September 30 amid a disagreement with Jesus over his role. His last cap was a 1-0 win over Wales in Lisbon in September.
The federation has promised a fitting tribute to its “eternal captain”.