Cristiano Ronaldo Named In First Portugal Squad Picked By New Manager Roberto Martinez

Roberto Martinez has included Cristiano Ronaldo in his first squad as Portugal manager. Ronaldo, 38, is the second oldest member of the squad, after Pepe, 40.
Cristiano Ronaldo Named In First Portugal Squad Picked By New Manager Roberto Martinez
Cristiano Ronaldo Named In First Portugal Squad Picked By New Manager Roberto Martinez /

Roberto Martinez has included Cristiano Ronaldo in his first squad as Portugal manager.

Martinez, who was appointed to replace Fernando Santos in January, named a 26-man party on Friday for this month's Euro 2024 qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.

Ronaldo, 38, is the second oldest member of the squad, after former Real Madrid teammate Pepe.

Martinez told reporters that Ronaldo "is very important for the team", adding: "I do not look at the age".

Ronaldo is Portugal's most-capped male footballer of all-time, having played for his country 196 times.

He holds the world record for most men's international goals, with 118.

Cristiano Ronaldo pictured scoring for Portugal against Luxembourg in October 2021
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored eight goals against Luxembourg so far in his international career :: IMAGO/HMB-Media/Ferreira

But Ronaldo was dropped to the bench by former manager Santos for both of Portugal's knockout games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

After the tournament, Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr and has scored eight goals in his first nine games for the Saudi club.

SEE MORE: Watch Every Cristiano Ronaldo Goal For Al Nassr In 2022/23 Saudi Pro League Season

Portugal Squad

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

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Joao Cancelo (Bayern Munich), Danilo Pereira (PSG) Nuno Mendes (PSG), Pepe (Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Diogo Leite (Union Berlin), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Ruben Neves (Wolves) Matheus Nunes (Wolves), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Mario (Benfica), Otavio Monteiro (Porto), Vitinha (PSG)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Goncalo Ramos (Benfica), Joao Felix (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (Milan), Diogo Jota (Liverpool)


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Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.