Cristiano Ronaldo to Compete in 11th Global Event as 39-Year-Old is Included in Portugal's Euro 2024 Lineup
The famed five-time Ballon d'Or recipient, playing beyond Europe's leading top-five leagues, is currently starring for the Saudi Arabian team, Al-Nassr. The Portugal manager, Roberto Martinez, believes that the striker's experience and goal-scoring talent would significantly benefit the team.
"Cristiano Ronaldo? Let's focus on the numbers. He has scored 42 goals in 41 games for his club," Martinez shared with reporters, citing Reuters. "This demonstrates his reliability and capability to maintain a high level of fitness, in addition to the exceptional finishing skills we eagerly crave."
An international stalwart, Ronaldo made his debut at the Euro 2004 tournament 20 years ago when host Portugal succumbed to Greece in the finals. He later led his team to triumph at Euro 2016, which is his only major international trophy, although he was injured and substituted in the first half during the championship.
Ronaldo has also contributed to Portugal's UEFA Nations League win in 2019. With 206 appearances for his home country (the most among all men's international soccer players), he has netted a record 128 goals, of which 10 were scored during the Euro 2024 qualifying rounds. Though it seemed like Ronaldo's international run was coming to an end after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he was omitted from the starting lineups by manager Fernando Santos, as Portugal looked to move past their star player.
However, with a change in management and good recent form for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has secured another opportunity to contribute to Portugal's legacy, making it his sixth European Championship appearance. He has also partaken in five World Cups. Now, at Euro 2024, Ronaldo has the potential to become the oldest player to feature and score in a European Championship, courtesy of UEFA. Ronaldo already holds the record as the competition's leading goalscorer, with 14 goals scored in the finals.
Conversely, Ronaldo is not the oldest player in the Portugal squad. That privilege belongs to the 41-year-old defender Pepe, who has been extraordinary for Porto this season. Pepe, who helped Portugal lift the European Championship in 2016, has appeared 38 times for his club this year, boasting highly impressive performances in Porto's journey to the Champions League last 16.
Despite his age, Pepe has made 136 appearances for Portugal and plays for Sporting Lisbon in the Taça de Portugal final on May 26. "Pepe's presence in the locker room is pivotal, his representation of the national team jersey, as well as the way he communicates and positioning," elaborated Martinez to reporters. "He is a crucial player, especially when he is fit."
Portugal's Euro 2024 group stage opponents are Turkey, Georgia, and the Czech Republic. Their opening game in Group F will be held on June 18 against the Czech Republic.
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Cristiano Ronaldo's love for football hasn't waned even at 39, as he continues to score goals for his Saudi Arabian team, Al-Nassr. Portugal's squad for Euro 2024 includes a football legend in Ronaldo, who holds the record for the most international goals scored.
Source: edition.cnn.com
