Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Portugal’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Croatia and Scotland, despite a lackluster performance at Euro 2024. The 39-year-old forward continues to receive the backing of coach Roberto Martinez.
Ronaldo’s Inclusion
Cristiano Ronaldo, who will turn 40 next February, has been selected in the 25-man squad for the Nations League matches scheduled for September 5 and 8. Despite failing to score in all five of Portugal’s games at Euro 2024, Ronaldo remains a key figure in the national team. He has started the new season with four goals in as many games for Saudi side Al-Nassr.
Roberto Martinez, who took over as Portugal’s coach after Fernando Santos, has restored Ronaldo to the starting lineup. Martinez highlighted Ronaldo’s unique level of play and his importance to the team. “When I quit the national team, I won’t tell anyone in advance… At the moment, what I want is to be able to help the Selecao,” Ronaldo said in a recent interview.
New Faces in the Squad
While veteran defender Pepe announced his retirement earlier this month, Martinez is looking to the future with the inclusion of 17-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger Geovany Quenda. Other new faces in the squad include Chelsea left-back Renato Veiga and Lille defender Tiago Santos.
Full Squad List
Goalkeepers:
- Diogo Costa (FC Porto)
- Jose Sa (Wolves/ENG)
- Rui Silva (Real Betis/ESP)
Defenders:
- Ruben Dias (Manchester City/ENG)
- Antonio Silva (Benfica)
- Renato Veiga (Chelsea/ENG)
- Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon)
- Tiago Santos (Lille/FRA)
- Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG)
- Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
- Nelson Semedo (Wolves/ENG)
Midfielders:
- Joao Palhinha (Fulham/ENG)
- Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
- Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG)
- Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG)
- Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal/KSA)
Forwards:
- Joao Felix (Chelsea/ENG)
- Francisco Trincao (Sporting Lisbon)
- Pedro Goncalves (Sporting Lisbon)
- Rafael Leao (AC Milan/ITA)
- Geovany Quenda (Sporting Lisbon)
- Pedro Neto (Chelsea/ENG)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr/KSA)
- Diogo Jota (Liverpool/ENG)
Looking Ahead
Portugal will face Croatia on September 5 and Scotland on September 8, both matches to be played at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. The Nations League is a biennial international football competition involving the men’s national teams of all UEFA member associations. Martinez has stated that the team is starting a new cycle aimed at the 2026 World Cup, and the Nations League will be an important step in that journey.