Portugal Calls Up Ronaldo for Nations League 39-year-old forward Cristiano Ronaldo is included in Portugal’s 25-man squad for two UEFA Nations League matches in September.
“Ronaldo is one of a kind,” head coach Roberto Martinez said about his decision to call up the 39-year-old forward. “For a player at his age to achieve the level and physical condition of Ronaldo is unbelievable. The most important goal is the team, and we need to improve on what we did at Euro 2024. Ronaldo is in top form, very important for the team, but no one can speak about the future.”
Coach Martinez encouraged Ronaldo after Portugal defeated Slovenia 3-0 in a penalty shootout in the Euro 2024 round of 16. Photo: Reuters
Ronaldo’s future was in doubt after a lackluster performance at Euro 2024. He wore the captain’s armband, started five matches—playing four of them in full—took 23 shots (more than anyone else in the tournament), but did not score. This was the first time the record-holder, who has participated in six Euros and five World Cups, did not score in a major international tournament.
After Euro 2024, Martinez emphasized that Portugal is starting a “new cycle” to aim for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He also stated that it is too early to say whether Ronaldo has played his last international match.
Ronaldo has been in good form this new season, scoring four goals and providing two assists in four matches for Al Nassr across all competitions. The 39-year-old forward also recently received a recognition award as the top scorer in Champions League history—140 goals in 183 matches—at a UEFA ceremony on August 29.
In an interview with the Portuguese TV channel NOW earlier this week, Ronaldo confirmed his desire to continue contributing to the national team and to participate in the UEFA Nations League matches. “I won’t announce my retirement to anyone. It will be spontaneous, a decision I will make carefully,” he expressed.
Portugal will face Croatia on September 5 and Scotland on September 8 in the first two group stage matches of the Nations League. Ronaldo and his teammates won this tournament once, defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the 2019 final, thanks to Goncalo Guedes’ goal.
Portugal’s squad for the September 2024 camp:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Silva (Real Betis).
Defenders: Ruben Dias (Man City), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Renato Veiga (Chelsea), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Tiago Santos (Lille), Diogo Dalot (Man Utd), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Nelson Semedo (Wolves).
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Bayern Munich), Joao Neves, Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd), Bernardo Silva (Man City), Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Joao Felix (Chelsea), Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Pedro Goncalves (Sporting).
Forwards: Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Geovany Quenda (Sporting), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Diogo Jota (Liverpool).
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