Ronaldo confirmed as still being part of Portugal squad

Lisbon: Coach Roberto Martínez has said that Portugal “lacked goals” in Euro2024, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals, and confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo, even at 39 years old, will continue to be in his squad.

In an interview with TVI/CNN Portugal, the 50-year-old Spanish coach admitted that, on 30 August, he will call up new players for the clashes with Croatia and Scotland, in the opening match of the Nations League, and promised a “better and more prepared” team, despite the disappointment experienced in the last European Championship, which took place in Germany.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is available. He is playing for his club. The physical data and the information we have on Cristiano are very good. He is a player who always shows great attitude and is very important for the team”, explained Martínez.

The national coach downplayed Ronaldo’s advanced age, who will turn 40 in February next year, and also the image the forward left at Euro2024, where he failed to score throughout the tournament.

“Experience is very important when it comes to national teams. We can’t talk about age. Pepe, for example, had an impeccable European Championship. The dressing room is always better when there is experience”, he reinforced.