Current:Home > FinanceCristiano Ronaldo, 39, to play for Portugal in his sixth UEFA Euro Championship -Elevate Capital Network
Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, to play for Portugal in his sixth UEFA Euro Championship
NovaQuant View
Date:2025-04-08 18:22:20
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! (8985)
Related
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- NFL power rankings Week 11: Stars are bright for Texans, Cowboys
- Albania proposes a draft law on a contentious deal with Italy to jointly process asylum applications
- Thousands march for major Mexican LGBTQ+ figure Jesús Ociel Baena, slain after getting death threats
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Kevin Hart will receive the Mark Twain Prize — humor's highest honor
- German publisher to stop selling Putin books by reporter who allegedly accepted money from Russians
- Watch One Tree Hill’s Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton Recreate Iconic Show Moment
- Police remove gator from pool in North Carolina town: Watch video of 'arrest'
- Renowned Canadian-born Israeli peace activist Vivian Silver is confirmed killed in Hamas attack
Ranking
- Report: Lauri Markkanen signs 5-year, $238 million extension with Utah Jazz
- Get This $379 Kate Spade Satchel for Just $90
- Energy Department tries to boost US battery industry with another $3.5 billion in funding
- Illegal border crossings into the US drop in October after a 3-month streak of increases
- Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
- Matt LeBlanc posts touching tribute to Matthew Perry: 'Among the favorite times of my life'
- Alaska Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom joins the race for the state’s only US House seat
- No Bazinga! CBS sitcom 'Young Sheldon' to end comedic run after seven seasons
Recommendation
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Jerry O'Connell reacts to John Stamos writing about wife Rebecca Romijn in 'negative manner'
US extends sanctions waiver allowing Iraq to buy electricity from Iran
Michigan judge says Trump can stay on primary ballot, rejecting challenge under insurrection clause
Kehlani Responds to Hurtful Accusation She’s in a Cult
Biden announces 5 federal judicial nominees and stresses their varied professional backgrounds
Anchorage adds more shelter beds after unusually high amount of snow and record outdoor deaths
China and the U.S. pledge to step up climate efforts ahead of Biden-Xi summit