Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to set a Euro record after he was named in Portugal’s 26-man 2024 squad, unveiled earlier today by coach Roberto Martinez.
The 39-year-old, five-time Ballon d’Or winner, will be appearing in his 11th major international tournament.
He played his first major tournament at Euro 2004 and will be making a record sixth appearance at the men’s continental championship.
He collected a winner’s medal in France in 2016, even though he went off injured after 25 minutes in the final due to a rough tackle by Dimitri Payet.
Ronaldo already holds the men’s world record for caps (206) and international goals (128) while playing for Al-Nassr, Saudi Arabia.
He again proved indispensable as Portugal won all 10 of their qualifying games, scoring 36 goals and conceding only two.
Ronaldo hit 10 goals in nine qualifying appearances.
Martinez said praising “a player who has scored 42 goals in 41 matches for his club.” He added that 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 most senior player in the squad.
Martinez called up his former Real Madrid team-mate Pepe, 41, and who is now playing for Porto, has also been called up because of his “important role in the dressing room” according to Martinez.
Before facing the Czech Republic, Turkey and then Georgia in Group F of the Euro, from 14 June to 14 July in Germany, the Selecao will play warm-up matches against Finland, Croatia and Ireland.
Alongside Ronaldo in attack, Martinez has selected strikers Rafael Leao, Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos, as well as Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao.
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The creative midfielders include premier league winner Bernardo Silva, who has just won an English title with Manchester City, and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United.
Below is the breakdown of the Squad:
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).
