Bruno Fernandes Overlooked as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Successor Named Portugal Captain

November 6, 2026 sportnow BERNARDO SILVA has been appointed as the new captain of Portugal following Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement.

The 32-year-old Real Madrid player has taken over the captaincy after Ronaldo concluded his 23-year tenure with the national team.

Portugal’s head coach, Jorge Jesus, disclosed that the captaincy would be given to the player with the most caps in the squad.

It turns out that ex-Manchester City midfielder Silva holds that distinction.

Silva will lead alongside Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves, and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, who was likely hoping for the captain’s role.

Jesus commented: “Captains in the national team are chosen based on the number of international appearances they have made.

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“Currently, there are five players at the top of that ranking, and notably, all five have played under my management at the clubs I’ve been with.

“The principle remains the same. The player with the most international caps after Cristiano is Bernardo Silva, followed by Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves, and Bruno Fernandes. Those are the five.”

Ronaldo, who retired with 234 caps and scored 146 goals, decided to step away after a fallout with Jesus in September.

He was infuriated after being benched for the win against Norway and left the team’s camp in a huff.

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Debut: Portugal 1-0 Kazakhstan (August 20, 2003)

Last match: Portugal 1-0 Wales (September 24, 2026)

Afterward, he requested a meeting with the Portuguese FA while receiving a surprisingly small fine of only £215.

Thus, Ronaldo has officially ended his international career, more than twenty years after his first game in 2004.

In a heartfelt statement, Ronaldo expressed: “The time has come for me to hand back the number 7 jersey for our national team.

“I never believed it was mine alone. But for 23 years, I had the privilege and duty of wearing it, defending it, and bringing it with me to stadiums all over the world.

“Today, the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy choice, as some decisions come from the heart, not just the mind.

“A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has reached its conclusion.

“Looking back at everything with the national team, I don’t just see games, goals, records, or trophies.

“I see people. I see Portuguese individuals living abroad who, for 90 minutes, felt a little closer to home.

“I see millions of Portuguese people I have never met, who became a part of my life.

“Because, in the end, football is much more than a game; it’s about people.”

Ronaldo’s final match for the national team took place on September 24 against Wales in Lisbon.