The new Portugal boss says the legendary forward still needs to earn his minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo may be 41, but his global influence remains absolutely massive. New Portugal boss Jorge Jesus clearly understands his star player's unique value. Jesus spoke ahead of Portugal’s Nations League opener against Wales. He described Ronaldo as a living symbol of the national team.

However, the experienced coach also made his tactical boundaries very clear. Ronaldo’s legendary status does not automatically guarantee him a starting spot. "The past doesn’t count," Jesus stated firmly to the sports press. "If he performs, he plays. If he doesn't, he doesn't."

Jesus shared a remarkable story about a recent match in Hong Kong.

The coach wanted to explain exactly how much attention the superstar attracts. He recalled looking at the stands during a game where Ronaldo rested. Only around 3,000 people sat inside a massive 55,000-capacity stadium. When Ronaldo finally featured on the pitch, the attendance instantly hit 55,000.

Jesus worked successfully with Ronaldo last season at Al Nassr. He helped the global icon win his very first Saudi league title. Ronaldo remains at the heart of Jesus’ plans for the national squad. He is expected to start in the upcoming match against Wales.

Ronaldo is currently chasing the magical 1000-career-goal milestone.

He is only 21 goals away from achieving that extraordinary historical feat. His incredible hunger and athletic longevity are simply difficult for others to replicate. Jesus wants to create a new dynamic playing culture for Portugal.

He prefers using a defensive midfielder to provide crucial tactical balance. He also likes playing with a second forward to increase attacking pressure. Fans are waiting to see if Jesus can finally secure another major trophy.

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