Ronaldo in the Portugal Euro 2024 Squad: Robert Martinez Underscores Why Portugal Still Needs the Al Nassr Ace

Cristiano Ronaldo will be gunning for another title with his national team after he helped them lift the Euro 2016 and the first Nations League in 2019. The Portugal national team manager Roberto Martinez has named Ronaldo among seven forwards in the squad, including Francisco Conceicao, Diogo Jota, Goncalo Ramos, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto, and Joao Felix.

The former Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus star has already made 206 appearances for Portugal and scored 128 goals. The forward is keen to add to these impressive numbers in Germany at the Euros 2024. His manager has been gushing about Ronaldo after picking him for the squad.

Robert Martinez told reporters: “As for Cristiano Ronaldo, I think it’s better to talk about statistics. A player who scores 42 goals in 41 games for his club shows continuity, a physical ability to always be fit and quality in front of goal that we really like and need.”

“We don’t make choices based on where the players play. We want to create the best team and call the 26 players who make up the best team. We monitor the players’ individual performance and role that they have in the locker room. There are players who have secondary roles in important locker rooms and others who have important roles in less strong locker rooms. Since March 2023 until now, we have a lot of information.”

The inclusion of Ronaldo is a testament to his longevity in the game and an acknowledgment that the Al Nassr forward is still playing at a high level. It is also a nod to the level of the Saudi Pro League.