Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has revealed his 26-man roster for Euro 2024. Cristiano Ronaldo is there and will be playing in his 11th international tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo joined the list of 26 players revealed on Tuesday by the Spanish national team coach, Roberto Martinez, in preparation for the 2024 European Championship, where the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will play in his 11th major international tournament at the age of 14. 39.
Twenty years after his first appearance in the 2004 European Championship, which was organized in Portugal, and eight years after the Seleção was crowned in the 2016 European Championship, Ronaldo, who plays in the Saudi Championship, is preparing to play his sixth European Championship, which is a new record for participating in the European Championship. . For the man who already holds the world record for selections (206) and goals (128) for the national team.
Unsurprisingly, the Lusitanian team is also distinguished by the absence of Rafael Guerrero, who withdrew due to injury, and the inclusion of young winger Francisco Conceicao, who plays for FC Porto with his father, Sergio Conceicao, as coach.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been playing for Saudi club Al-Nassr since the 2022 World Cup where he lost his undisputed starting place, has once again become a key element for Martinez, the successor to Fernando Santos and the author of an impeccable qualification.
With ten wins in as many matches and a score of 36 goals to two, Portugal once again found its top scorer in the qualifiers in Cristiano Ronaldo (10 goals in 9 matches).
Martinez praised “the player who scored 42 goals in 41 matches for his club,” and said that the striker continues to provide “the quality in front of goal that we value very much and need.”
Before facing the Czech Republic, Turkey and then Georgia in Group 6 of the Euro, which will be held in Germany from June 14 to July 14, the Seleção will play preparatory matches against Finland, Croatia and Ireland.
In addition to Ronaldo, Roberto Martinez selected strikers Rafael Leao, Joao Felix and Gonzalo Ramos, as well as Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao.
Veteran Pepe is still present
Creativity in the midfield will be the responsibility of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha and Otavio, while recovery will be the responsibility of Joao Palinha, Ruben Neves or Joao Neves.
Ruben Dias will form the backbone of the defense, along with Danilo Pereira, Antonio Silva and Gonzalo Inacio. Martinez explained that veteran Pepe (41 years old) was also summoned due to his “important role in the locker room.”
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The Lusitanian group also includes full-backs Joao Cancelo, Nuno Mendes, Diogo Dalot and Nelson Semedo.
The Portuguese goal will be defended by goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who will have Rui Patricio and Jose Sa as substitutes.
List of 26 players selected for the Portugal national team:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Patricio (Roma, Italy), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton, England).
In defense: Joao Cancelo (Barcelona / Spain), Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton / England), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United / England), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain / France), Ruben Dias (Manchester City / England), Antonio Silva ( Benfica). – Gonzalo Inacio (Sporting Portugal), Pepe (Porto), Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain).
Midfielders: Joao Baleña (Fulham, England), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Joao Neves (Benfica, Lisbon), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Otavio Montero (Al-Nasr, Saudi Arabia), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, England). ), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/England).
Attack: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nasr Saudi Arabia), Rafael Leao (AC Milan, Italy), Joao Felix (Barcelona, Spain), Gonzalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain), Diogo Jota (Liverpool, England), Pedro Neto (Wolverhampton). /England), Francisco Conceição (Porto).
