Photo Credit: Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo is most likely to set a Euro record after he was named in Portugal’s 26 man 2024 squad which was unveiled on Tuesday by Coach Roberto Martinez. The 39-year old, five time Ballon d’Or winner will be appearing in his 11th major international tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo played his first Euro competition in 2004 and will be making a record sixth appearance at the men’s continental championship.
He collected a winner’s medal in France 2016 even though he went off injured after 25 minutes in the final. Cristiano, who plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr already holds the men’s record for caps (206) and international goals (128). He again proved indispensable as Portugal won all 10 of their qualifying games, scoring 36 goals and conceding two.
Ronaldo hit 10 goals in nine qualifying appearances. Praising ‘a player who has scored 42 goals in 41 matches for his club, Martinez said he felt that the striker continued to offer ‘a quality in front of goal that we really appreciate and need.’ In spite of his advancing years, Ronaldo will not be the senior player of the squad.
His former Real Madrid team-mate Pepe, now 41 years old, and playing for Porto, has also been called up because of ‘his important role in the dressing room,’ said Martinez. Before facing the Czech Republic, Turkey and then Georgia in Group F of the Euro, from 14th June to 14th July in Germany.
The Selecao will play warm up matches against Finland, Croatia and Ireland. Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in attack Roberto Martinez has selected strikers Rafael Leao, Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos as well as Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao.
The creative midfielders include Bernado Silva, who has just won an English title with Manchester City and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United.
