39-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo makes Portugal Euro 2024 Squad

Oluwasegun SanusiMay 21, 20241 Mins read403

Cristiano Ronaldo is poised to make history again as he prepares to play in his 11th major international tournament, having been named in Portugal’s squad for Euro 2024.

The 39-year-old forward, currently with Al-Nassr, is the most capped player in international football history, boasting 206 appearances and 128 goals for his national team.

Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martinez, included Ronaldo among the seven forwards in his 26-man squad for next month’s tournament in Germany.

During a news conference, Martinez highlighted Ronaldo’s enduring value, stating,

He continues to offer a quality in front of goal which we greatly appreciate and which we need.

Ronaldo’s international journey began at Euro 2004, where Portugal reached the final on home soil but was defeated by Greece.

Since then, he has been a central figure in the national team, leading them to their first major title at Euro 2016 and securing the Nations League in 2018–19.

The squad features nine players from Premier League clubs, including Wolverhampton Wanderers’ trio of José Sá, Nélson Semedo, and Pedro Neto. Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot represent Manchester United, while Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias also cut.

Additional Premier League talents include Fulham’s João Palhinha and Liverpool’s Diogo Jota.

Martinez also called up veteran defender Pepe, 41, alongside his 21-year-old Porto teammate Francisco Conceição.

The younger Conceição, son of former Portugal international Sérgio Conceição, earned his first senior cap against Slovenia in March.

Portugal will kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against the Czech Republic in their Group F opener on June 18, followed by matches against Turkey and Georgia.

Goalkeepers:

Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Patricio (AS Roma)

Defenders:

Antonio Silva (Benfica), Danilo Pereira (Paris St Germain), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nelson Semedo (Wolves), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Pepe (Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City)

Midfielders:

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Neves (Benfica), Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Otavio Monteiro (Al Nassr), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Vitinha (PSG)

Forwards:

Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Francisco Conceicao (Porto), Goncalo Ramos (PSG), Joao Felix (Barcelona), Pedro Neto (Wolves), Rafael Leao (AC Milan).