Current:Home > MyCristiano Ronaldo, 39, to play for Portugal in his sixth UEFA Euro Championship -FundCenter
Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, to play for Portugal in his sixth UEFA Euro Championship
View
Date:2025-04-27 20:34:26
Portugal's 39-year-old forward Cristiano Ronaldo will play in his sixth UEFA Euro Championship and veteran defender Pepe also made the cut as coach Roberto Martinez named his 26-man squad on Tuesday.
Ronaldo, who has scored in every Euros since his first appearance in 2004, has netted 14 goals in the finals. He also scored 10 times in European qualifying matches last year.
Ronaldo now plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr where he has scored 42 goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions.
"Cristiano? It's better to talk about the data. He's a player who's scored 42 goals in 41 games for his club," Martinez said.
"That shows his continuity and physical ability to always be fit, as well as the quality he has in front of goal, which we really like and need."
However, Ronaldo will not be the oldest member of the squad with Martinez also calling up Porto defender Pepe who turned 41 this year.
Pepe was an integral part of Porto's team this year, making 38 appearances as they reached the Champions League last 16 and finished third in the league behind Sporting and Benfica. They are also in the Cup final.
"Pepe's role in the dressing room is important, the way he represents the national team shirt. I think that during the training camp, football is a constant struggle," Martinez added.
"And it was interesting to see Pepe play two games in March and keep a clean sheet for the 90 minutes he played. His communication, his positioning mean that, when he's fit, he's a very important player."
Nine players from the Premier League have been called up including Ruben Dias, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Diogo Jota. Goncalo Inacio is the only Sporting player in the squad.
Portugal's squad for Euro Championship
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Patricio (AS Roma)
Defenders: Antonio Silva (Benfica), Danilo Pereira (Paris St Germain), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nelson Semedo (Wolves), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Pepe (Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Neves (Benfica), Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Otavio Monteiro (Al Nassr), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Vitinha (PSG)
Forwards: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Francisco Conceicao (Porto), Goncalo Ramos (PSG), Joao Felix (Barcelona), Pedro Neto (Wolves), Rafael Leao (AC Milan).
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- EU orders biotech giant Illumina to unwind $7.1 billion purchase of cancer-screening company Grail
- UN suspends and detains 8 peacekeepers in Congo over allegations of sexual exploitation
- This Australian writer might be the greatest novelist you've never heard of
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Reba McEntire celebrates 'Not That Fancy' book release by setting up corn mazes across the country
- More Americans support striking auto workers than car companies, AP-NORC poll shows
- Powerball ticket sold in California wins $1.765 billion jackpot, second-biggest in U.S. lottery history
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Blinken meets Hamas attack survivors, pledges US support on trip to Israel
Ranking
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- 7th person charged after South Korean woman’s body found in trunk near Atlanta
- New Netflix show 'The Fall of the House of Usher': Release date, cast and trailer
- COVID relief funds spark effort that frees man convicted of 1997 murder in Oklahoma he says he didn't commit
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Blinken meets Hamas attack survivors, pledges US support on trip to Israel
- Khloe Kardashian Says Kris Jenner “F--ked Up Big Time” in Tense Kardashians Argument
- Argentina World Cup qualifier vs. Paraguay: Live stream and TV info, Lionel Messi status
Recommendation
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
A possible Israeli ground war looms in Gaza. What weapons are wielded by those involved?
Texas woman accused of killing pro cyclist escaped police custody after doctor's appointment
U.S. intelligence indicates Iranian officials surprised by Hamas attack on Israel
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
More than 90% of people killed by western Afghanistan quake were women and children, UN says
Peter Thomas Roth Flash Deal: Get $156 Worth of Retinol for $69 and Reduce Wrinkles Overnight
Social Security benefits will increase by 3.2% in 2024 as inflation moderates