Ronaldo included in Portugal's 1st squad after goalless Euro 2024
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has included Cristiano Ronaldo in his squad list for the first two Nations League matches following the veteran forward's disappointing European Championship.
Martinez announced the squad on Friday for its home games against Croatia on Sept. 5 and Scotland on Sept. 8.
The 39-year-old Ronaldo holds the record of 130 goals for international men's soccer. But he went scoreless in all five of Portugal’s games at Euro 2024 before it was eliminated in a penalty shootout by France in the quarterfinals.
Martinez said after Euro 2024 his team is starting "a new cycle for the 2026 World Cup."
Ronaldo would be 41 by the time that tournament in North America kicks off.
Martínez restored Ronaldo to his place in the starting lineup after predecessor Fernando Santos had stunned his team, and nation, by benching him midway through the 2022 World Cup, where he scored in an opening win over Ghana but then went scoreless over the next four games including a quarterfinal upset loss to Morocco.
Portugal squad
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Real Betis)
Defenders: Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Renato Veiga (Chelsea), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Tiago Santos (Lille), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton)
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Bayern Munich), Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Joao Felix (Chelsea), Francisco Trincao (Sporting CP), Pedro Goncalves (Sporting CP)
Forwards: Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Geovany Quenda (Sporting CP), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Diogo Jota (Liverpool).
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