Current:Home > FinanceCristiano Ronaldo, 39, to play for Portugal in his sixth UEFA Euro Championship -ForexStream
Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, to play for Portugal in his sixth UEFA Euro Championship
View
Date:2025-04-14 13:39:09
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! (121)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- 5-year-old Utah boy dies from accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound
- Maryland police officer convicted of tossing smoke bomb at police during Capitol riot
- Donald Trump addresses AI Taylor Swift campaign photos: 'I don't know anything about them'
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Taye Diggs talks Lifetime movie 'Forever,' dating and being 'a recovering control freak'
- PBS’ Judy Woodruff apologizes for an on-air remark about peace talks in Israel
- Travel TV Star Rick Steves Shares Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- New Starbucks merch drop includes a Stanley cup collab: Here's what to know
Ranking
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- 'It's going to be different': Raheem Morris carries lessons into fresh chance with Falcons
- Jennifer Lopez Requests to Change Her Last Name Amid Ben Affleck Divorce
- Tropical Storm Hone forms in the central Pacific Ocean, Gilma still a Category 3 hurricane
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Tropical storm forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain to Hawaii this weekend
- 'Megalopolis' trailer sparks controversy with fabricated quotes from film critics
- Tennis Star Aryna Sabalenka Details Mental Health Struggles After Ex Konstantin Koltsov's Death
Recommendation
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
Weeks after blistering Georgia’s GOP governor, Donald Trump warms to Brian Kemp
Fashion at the DNC: After speech, Michelle Obama's outfit has internet buzzing
Horoscopes Today, August 22, 2024
Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
Is Joey Votto a Hall of Famer? The case for, and against, retiring Reds star
Body of British tech magnate Mike Lynch is recovered from wreckage of superyacht, coast guard says
What polling shows about Americans’ views of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.