First call-up: continuity, not revolution

Jesus, 71, has been working daily at the Cidade do Futebol since his appointment, but he has not yet spoken to any players, who are on holiday. He confirmed that his first squad, for the Nations League match against Wales on 24 September in Alvalade, will closely resemble the group that competed at the 2026 World Cup. "I'm not stupid," he said. "There isn't time to change many players from one month to the next, nor is there such a large pool right now. The base will be the same, with two or three new faces at most." He noted that 12 of the World Cup squad have previously worked under him, which he called "a great advantage."

“The base will be the same, with two or three new faces at most.”

Equal rules, different statuses

The new coach drew a sharp line between rules and status. "Players must have different statuses. They must all have the same rules, but their teammates have to know that some players are different, because of their past and their importance at their clubs," he said. This philosophy, he argued, is essential for maintaining hierarchy and unity. He also introduced the concept of "paying the price", players giving up individual habits that do not benefit the team. "In every team there are players who are more important than others," he added.

“Players must have different statuses. They must all have the same rules, but their teammates have to know that some players are different.”

Defending first, then titles

Jesus stressed that defensive organisation is the foundation for winning trophies. "The first quality of a team is knowing how to defend well, not how to attack," he said, pointing to Spain's victory over France as an example of a side that defended better. "If you don't defend well you can win matches, but never titles." He sees Portugal's midfield as having the potential to be the best in the world, but cautioned that individual quality must be translated into collective performance. "At the World Cup, Spain's midfield was perfect. We have a lot of quantity and quality in those sectors."

“If you don't defend well you can win matches, but never titles.”

The Brazil near-miss

Jesus revealed he came close to taking the Brazil job before Carlo Ancelotti was appointed. "I can confess this: I ended up not coaching Brazil, but I already had instructions to prepare the pre-call-up for a match in March, after they lost 4-1 to Argentina," he said. He described Brazil as "the Brazil of Europe" for Portugal, noting that both nations have abundant individual talent but struggle to convert it into World Cup success. He singled out striker Pedro, his former player at Flamengo, as the best Brazilian centre-forward at the moment, though he acknowledged a personal bias.

“I already had instructions to prepare the pre-call-up for a match in March, after they lost 4-1 to Argentina.”

Eyes on 2030

The ultimate target, Jesus said, is the 2030 World Cup, which Portugal will co-host. "The big focus is the 2030 World Cup in Portugal. We have every condition to dream about that possibility," he stated. The Nations League, starting with four matches in quick succession, will serve as an early test bed. "It gives me time in these 15 days to be with them. The games are every three days, but we'll have several training sessions to grow for the future." He admitted he is a different coach now at 71, more tolerant, more thoughtful, but insisted his passion remains undimmed.

“The big focus is the 2030 World Cup in Portugal. We have every condition to dream about that possibility.”