He Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo He is one of the 26 players called up on Tuesday by Spanish coach Roberto Martínez for the Euro-2024, where the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, at 39 years old, will compete in his 11th major international tournament.
Twenty years after its debut in Euro 2004 in Portugal and eight after the ‘Seleçao’ title in Euro 2016, Ronaldo will compete in its sixth European Championship, a new record of participation in this continental tournament for the world record holder in matches (206) and goals (128) with national teams.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who during the 2022 World Cup lost his status as undisputed holdere, has become essential for Martínez, successor of Fernando Santos.
The Spaniard praises “a player who has scored 42 goals in 41 games with his club” Saudi Al-Nassr, and believes that the attacker continues to offer “a quality in front of goal that we greatly appreciate and that we need.”
Before facing the Czech Republic, Turkey and Georgia in Group F of the Euro Cup, which will be played in Germany from June 14 to July 14, the Seleçao will play friendly matches against Finland, Croatia and Ireland.
Beyond Ronaldo, Martínez has called up attackers Rafael Leao, Joao Félix and Gonçalo Ramos, as well as Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceiçao.
The creation from the center of the field It will fall to Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha and Otavio, ahead of Joao Palhinha, Ruben Neves or Joao Neves.
He defense center It will be occupied by Ruben Dias along with Danilo Pereira, Antonio Silva or Gonçalo Inacio. Veteran Pepe, 41, was also called up given his “important role in the locker room,” Martínez explained.
Joao Cancelo, Nuno Mendes, Diogo Dalot and Nelson Semedo They will occupy the sides, while the goal will be protected by Diogo Costa, with Rui Patricio and José Sa as substitutes.
Raphael Guerreiroinjuredis the most notable casualty on Martínez’s list.
— List of the 26 called up by Portugal for Euro 2024:
. Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Patricio (AS Roma/ITA), José Sa (Wolverhampton/ENG)
– Defenses: Joao Cancelo (FC Barcelona/ESP), Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton/ENG), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), Nuno Mendes (Paris SG/FRA), Ruben Dias (Manchester City/ENG), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting Portugal), Pepe (Porto), Danilo Pereira (Paris SG/FRA).
– Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Fulham/ENG), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal/KSA), Joao Neves (Benfica), Vitinha (Paris SG/FRA), Otavio Monteiro (Al Nassr/KSA), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG).
– Attackers: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr/KSA), Rafael Leao (AC Milan/ITA), Joao Félix (FC Barcelona/ESP), Gonçalo Ramos (Paris SG/FRA), Diogo Jota (Liverpool/ENG), Pedro Neto (Wolverhampton/ENG ), Francisco Conceiçao (Porto).
