Cristiano Ronaldo is poised to set a new Euro record after being named in Portugal’s 26-man squad for Euro 2024, unveiled on Tuesday by coach Roberto Martinez.
At 39 years old, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is gearing up for his 11th major international tournament, a remarkable achievement in the annals of football history. Ronaldo first burst onto the international scene at Euro 2004 and, 20 years later, will make his sixth appearance at the men’s continental championship, a record in itself.
His illustrious Euro career includes the memorable triumph in France in 2016, where Portugal emerged victorious despite Ronaldo being forced off the pitch due to injury just 25 minutes into the final.
Currently plying his trade with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo holds the men’s world record for international caps (206) and goals (128). His influence on the pitch remains undiminished, as evidenced by his pivotal role in Portugal’s flawless qualifying campaign.
The Selecao won all 10 of their qualifying matches, scoring a staggering 36 goals and conceding just two, with Ronaldo contributing 10 goals in nine appearances.
Martinez lauded Ronaldo’s continued excellence, stating, “A player who has scored 42 goals in 41 matches for his club offers a quality in front of goal that we really appreciate and need.”
Despite his advancing years, Ronaldo’s form and fitness have remained extraordinary, underscoring his enduring value to the national team.
Remarkably, Ronaldo will not be the senior-most player in the squad. That honor goes to his former Real Madrid teammate Pepe, now 41, who plays for Porto.
Martinez emphasized Pepe’s “important role in the dressing room,” highlighting the veteran defender’s leadership and experience as invaluable assets to the squad.
Portugal’s Euro 2024 journey will begin in Group F, where they will face the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Georgia from June 14 to July 14 in Germany. Before the tournament kicks off, the Selecao will fine-tune their preparations with warm-up matches against Finland, Croatia, and Ireland.
Martinez’s squad selection reflects a blend of seasoned veterans and dynamic young talents. Alongside Ronaldo, the attacking options include Rafael Leao of AC Milan, Joao Felix of FC Barcelona, Goncalo Ramos of Paris Saint-Germain, Pedro Neto of Wolves, and Francisco Conceicao of Porto. The midfield boasts creative powerhouses like Bernardo Silva, fresh off an English Premier League title win with Manchester City, and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United.
FULL SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers:
– Diogo Costa (Porto)
– Rui Patricio (Roma/ITA)
– Jose Sa (Wolves/ENG)
Defenders:
– Joao Cancelo (Barcelona/ESP)
– Nelson Semedo (Wolves/ENG)
– Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG)
– Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
– Ruben Dias (Manchester City/ENG)
– Antonio Silva (Benfica)
– Goncalo Inacio (Sporting)
– Pepe (Porto)
– Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
Midfielders:
– Joao Palhinha (Fulham/ENG)
– Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal/KSA)
– Joao Neves (Benfica)
– Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
– Otavio Monteiro (Al Nassr/KSA)
– Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG)
– Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG)
Forwards:
– Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr/KSA)
– Rafael Leao (AC Milan/ITA)
– Joao Felix (FC Barcelona/ESP)
– Goncalo Ramos (Paris SG/FRA)
– Diogo Jota (Liverpool/ENG)
– Pedro Neto (Wolves/ENG)
– Francisco Conceicao (Porto)
As Portugal prepares to take on the best in Europe, the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo and other seasoned stars, combined with the fresh energy of emerging talents, sets the stage for a compelling campaign.
The football world will be watching closely as Ronaldo, one of the greatest players of all time, aims to add another chapter to his extraordinary legacy.
