yesterday 17:36
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The new coach of the Portuguese national football team, Roberto Martinez, included Cristiano Ronaldo in the nomination for the opening two matches of the EURO 2024 qualification against Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.
After being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar, there was speculation about the future of the 38-year-old gunner in the national team, but Martinez declared that he is counting on the striker of Saudi Arabia Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo is the world record holder in the number of national team goals, scoring 118 times in 196 international matches. According to Martinez, even at an advanced age, he still has a lot to offer the national team.
“I don’t look at age. Ronaldo is very important for our team,” the new coach was quoted by the Portuguese agency AFP. After leaving Manchester United, Ronaldo scored eight goals in nine appearances for Al-Nassr.
Defender Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon) received the prime minister’s invitation to the national team, Diogo Leite from Union Berlin can also make his debut in the national team. Forward Diogo Jota from FC Liverpool, who missed the World Cup in Qatar due to injury, returned to the squad.
Martinez replaced Fernando Santos on the bench after last year’s WC. Portugal will first meet Lichtenstein on Thursday, March 23 in Lisbon for the start of the qualification for the European Championship 2024, and three days later they will play in Luxembourg.
In the J-group, the Portuguese will also meet the Slovakian representatives, they will first welcome the favorite at home on September 8, and on October 13 they will play in the second match in Porto.
Portugal’s nomination for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Luxembourg:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton), Rui Patricio (AS Roma)
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City), Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain), Pepe (FC Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Antonio Silva (Benfica Lisbon), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Diogo Leite (Union Berlin), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (FC Fulham), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Mario (Benfica Lisabon), Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton), Otavio Monteiro (FC Porto), Vitinha (Paríž Saint-Germain)
Attackers: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Goncalo Ramos (Benfica Lisbon), Joao Felix (FC Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Diogo Jota (FC Liverpool)
Wild scenes from Frankfurt and Atalanta fans in Naples:
