Portugal Calls Up Ronaldo for Nations League: The Unstoppable Force
Portugal’s all-time great, Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to make waves once again as he joins the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures. The 39-year-old striker has been named in the 25-man squad for two crucial matches in September, reaffirming his place as a pivotal figure in Portuguese football.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s inclusion in the squad has sparked a wave of excitement and speculation. Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martinez, praised Ronaldo’s remarkable performance and dedication. “Ronaldo is one of a kind,” Martinez stated. “It’s incredible to see a player of his age maintaining such high standards in terms of skill and physicality. Our primary goal is team success, and we must improve upon our performance at Euro 2024. Ronaldo is in peak form and is vital for our team, but the future remains uncertain.”
Despite his impressive presence on the field, Ronaldo faced criticism after a subdued showing at Euro 2024. Wearing the captain’s armband, he started all five matches but failed to score, despite registering a tournament-high 23 shots. This marked the first time in his illustrious career that he did not score in a major international tournament, including six Euros and five World Cups.
Post-Euro 2024, Martinez emphasized that Portugal is embarking on a “new cycle” as they set their sights on the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The coach also hinted that it is too early to determine whether Ronaldo’s international career is nearing its end.
Ronaldo’s form remains exceptional as he enters the new season. The forward has already netted four goals and provided two assists in four matches for Al Nassr across all competitions. Additionally, Ronaldo recently received a prestigious award from UEFA on August 29, recognizing him as the all-time top scorer in the Champions League with 140 goals in 183 matches.
Despite the speculations, Ronaldo is eager to continue contributing to the Portuguese national team. “I won’t announce my retirement from the national team until it happens,” Ronaldo declared. “It will be a spontaneous decision, but one that I will consider very carefully.”
Portugal will face Croatia on September 5 and Scotland on September 8 in their opening Nations League fixtures. Ronaldo and his teammates previously won this tournament in 2019, clinching the title with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands, thanks to Goncalo Guedes’ decisive goal.
