Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to set a European Championship record after being named in Portugal's squad for this summer's tournament in Germany, coach Roberto Martinez has revealed.
The 39-year-old, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, will be taking part in his 11th major international forum. His first European championship was in 2004, when the team lost to Greece in the final, and this in Germany will be a record sixth for him. He became a champion with the Portuguese in 2016, despite being forced off the field due to injury in the 25th minute.
Ronaldo, currently a player for Saudi Al Nassr, already holds the world record for most caps (206) and goals for one national team (128). Portugal won all ten matches in the qualifiers with a goal difference of 36:2. Ronaldo himself scored 10 goals in nine matches. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player will not be the oldest in Martinez's selection, which features the name of 41-year-old Porto defender Pepe, Ronaldo's former teammate at Real.
Portugal will play three matches before Euro 2024 - against Finland, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland, and at the championship in Germany between June 14 and July 14 the team will face the Czech Republic, Turkey and Georgia in Group F.
Portugal squad:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, Rui Patricio, Jose Sa
Defenders: Joao Cancelo, Nelson Semedo, Diogo Dalot, Nuno Mendes, Ruben Dias, Antonio Silva, Goncalo Inacio, Pepe, Danilo Pereira
Midfielders: Joao Palinha, Ruben Neves, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Otavio Monteiro, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leao, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos, Diogo Jota, Pedro Neto, Francisco Conceição. /BGNES
