Jorge Jesus named Portugal manager as Ronaldo debate heats up

Jorge Jesus takes over, no Pepe on his staff

Jorge Jesus is the new Portugal manager. The former Benfica and Flamengo coach steps in after Roberto Martinez announced his departure immediately following the Spain elimination (7). One early detail: Pepe will not be part of his coaching team (1).

FPF under fire over Ronaldo treatment

Jesus's arrival has already stirred the Ronaldo question. One pointed headline captured the mood: "If it were someone from the Federation, I still wouldn't call him a 'Portugal Legend'" (2). The implication is clear, some believe the FPF has been slow to give Ronaldo his due, and Jesus may approach the captaincy differently.

Pinheiro gets Argentina-Switzerland

Portuguese referee João Pinheiro has been assigned to the Argentina-Switzerland World Cup match (7). A quiet note of pride in a tournament that ended painfully early for your team.

Merino's late goal ended it

Spain 1–0 Portugal. Mikel Merino scored the goal that knocked you out in the round of 16 in Dallas (6). Ferran Torres was also instrumental for the Spanish side (6). Martinez called it immediately afterwards: "It was my last game with the Portuguese national team." Ronaldo, 39, confirmed it was his final World Cup.

Women's U22s exit without a point

Portugal's women's U22 team bowed out of the European Championship with nothing to show for it, only defeats across their campaign (5).

Fan-reaktioner

The mood among Portugal supporters stateside is raw. "Desilusão total" was how one report described the early World Cup exit, with fans in the US crestfallen (3). Online, the broader World Cup discourse has shifted to the tournament's goal rate, 2.92 goals per match so far, a stat that stings when your team managed none in the knockout round. Reddit thread