Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play in his 11th major international tournament, having been named in Portugal’s squad for Euro 2024.
The 39-year-old Al-Nassr forward, the most capped player in international football history with 206 appearances and 128 goals for Portugal, has been included by Portugal boss Roberto Martinez as one of seven forwards in the 26-man squad for next month’s tournament in Germany.
At a news conference, Martinez praised Ronaldo, stating that he continues to offer “a quality in front of goal which we greatly appreciate and need.”
Ronaldo made his tournament debut at Euro 2004 when Portugal reached the final on home soil but lost to Greece. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner helped Portugal win Euro 2016, his only major international silverware, and the Nations League in 2018–19.
Martinez’s squad features nine players from Premier League clubs, including Wolves trio Jose Sa, Nelson Semedo, and Pedro Neto. Manchester United duo Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias, Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, and Liverpool’s Diogo Jota also made the cut.
The squad also includes veteran defender Pepe, 41, and his 21-year-old Porto teammate Francisco Conceicao, who earned his first senior international cap against Slovenia in March. Conceicao is the son of former Portugal international Sergio Conceicao.
Portugal will play the Czech Republic in their Group F opener on 18 June, followed by fixtures against Turkey and Georgia.
Portugal squad for Euro 2024:
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).