Estimated reading time 2 minutes 2 Min

Ronaldo in new boss Martinez’s first Portugal squad

Roberto Martinez, Portugal’s new coach, has selected Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad for their Euro 2024 qualifiers.

QATAR SOCCER Cristiano Ronaldo, who bowed out in tears at the World Cup, is back in Portugal's Euro 24 squad.
March 18, 2023
By AAP
18 March 2023

Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in Portugal’s squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers, ending doubts about his international future.

Ronaldo, who turned 38 in February, has been selected by new manager Roberto Martinez for the home tie with Liechtenstein and the trip to Luxembourg.

The former Manchester United forward , who has 196 caps, had said he would never turn his back on his country following their World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Morocco in December, but ended his Facebook post on an ambiguous note.

“For now, there’s not much more to say,” wrote Ronaldo, who was a second-half substitute in the 1-0 loss to Morocco and left the field in tears at full-time. “Thank you, Portugal. Thank you, Qatar.

“The dream was beautiful while it lasted… Now, we have to let time be a good adviser and allow everyone to draw their own conclusions.”

Ronaldo, who has scored eight goals in nine appearances for Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, is joined in the 26-man squad by a host of Premier League players, including former Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, Liverpool’s Diogo Jota and Chelsea’s Joao Felix.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is a very committed player, a player like him can bring experience and is very important for the team. I don’t look to the age, I don’t look to other aspects,” Belgian Martinez told a news conference on Friday.

Ronaldo holds the record for most goals in international football with 118. 

More in Sport