Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo benched against Norway

During the UEFA Nations League match on Sunday, September 27, 2026, Portugal secured a 2-1 victory over Norway without the participation of Cristiano Ronaldo. Although called up, the star striker remained on the bench for the entire match. According to BBC Africa, this event marks the first time in over 18 years that the player has spent an entire official match on the bench without coming on, a situation that had not occurred since Euro 2008 against Switzerland.

National head coach Jorge Jesus sought to clarify the situation by explaining that it was simply a matter of squad management. Since Cristiano Ronaldo played nearly 70 minutes during the 1-0 victory against Wales on Thursday, September 24, 2026, the coach felt it was not wise to field him for two consecutive matches within three days. Although a substitute appearance was considered, the strong performance of the team and Gonçalo Ramos, who scored a goal, convinced the coach to leave him rested.

This tactical management does not exclude the former Real Madrid player from the national team's future plans. Jorge Jesus reiterated that starting choices depend solely on performance on the pitch and not on the status of the players. To date, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the most-capped player in his national team's history with 234 appearances, including 215 starts, and holds the world record for international goals with 146, ahead of Lionel Messi's 125 goals.

Our perspective

Managing the playing time of football legends illustrates the inevitable transition toward a new generation of talent. For the African public and its athletes, this pragmatic management serves as a reminder that longevity at the highest level requires discipline and an acceptance of collective choices, which are essential values for inspiring the continent's sporting youth.