Goncalo Ramos has scored three goals and provided one assist in Portugal’s past three matches, while Joao Felix has also found the net three times and created another goal during the current international break.
Their form has offered Jorge Jesus fresh attacking options as he begins a new chapter with Portugal, while the international future of Cristiano Ronaldo remains uncertain.
Jesus has won all of his matches since taking charge and has already guided Portugal into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League. The emergence of Ramos and Felix has strengthened a team beginning to consider life beyond its long-standing talisman.
The pair may not have been the most obvious candidates to lead that transition. Ramos, who has often been used as a substitute for Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain, moved to Milan this summer for 70m euros. Felix, meanwhile, appeared to have been pushed away from the media spotlight after moving to Saudi Arabia, but now seems to have returned to prominence, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.
A new attacking structure
Jesus has deployed Portugal in a 4-4-2 formation. The central midfield partnership of Vitinha and Joao Neves remains in place, with players including Palhinha and Ruben Neves also available.
The most significant change has come in the positioning of the attacking players. Ramos has become the new reference point as Portugal’s number nine in the post-Ronaldo era, with Felix operating behind him as a second striker and given considerable freedom in the final third.
Bruno Fernandes starts on the left, moving inside to find space and leaving the entire flank available for Nuno Mendes to overlap.
“Goncalo Ramos, like all strikers, lives to score goals, and that is what he has done in the last four matches,” said Jesus, who handed Ramos his Benfica debut before the forward’s big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Felix’s revival is also closely linked to the Portugal manager. Jesus coached him at Al Nassr last season, when Felix scored 20 goals and provided 13 assists in 33 Saudi league matches as the club won the title.
Felix believes the role he is now occupying gives him the best chance to succeed.
“As I have always said, my position is as a second striker,” he said. “If I play in that position, my chances of success will be much greater.”
Jesus said Felix had previously been unable to show his best form despite playing for leading European clubs.
“Joao Felix played for the best clubs in Europe, but he did not produce the performances expected of him,” Jesus said. “He played in many different positions, and I think the coaches did not understand the best way to use his abilities.”
