Current:Home > MarketsCristiano Ronaldo, 39, to play for Portugal in his sixth UEFA Euro Championship -MoneyMatrix
Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, to play for Portugal in his sixth UEFA Euro Championship
View
Date:2025-04-20 01:18:05
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! (83)
Related
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- The Supreme Court rules for Biden administration in a social media dispute with conservative states
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Spare Change
- Batteries and Rooftop Solar Can Lead to Huge Savings for the Entire Grid. A New Study Shows How—and How Much
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Funeral service set for 12-year-old Houston girl whose body was found in a creek
- Teresa Giudice’s Daughter Milania Graduates High School—And We Bet You Feel Old AF
- Ohio jail mistakenly frees suspect in killing because of a typo
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- It's a 'Forrest Gump' reunion! Tom Hanks, Robin Wright get de-aged in new film 'Here'
Ranking
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- Indiana seeks first execution since 2009 after acquiring lethal injection drug, governor says
- Lisa Rinna Looks Unrecognizable With Spiky Blonde Hair Transformation
- Remains found in western Indiana in 1998 identified as those of long-missing man, police say
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Why 'RHONY' alum Kelly Bensimon called off her wedding to Scott Litner days before the ceremony
- Christina Applegate’s 13-Year-Old Daughter Details Her Own Health Struggles Amid Mom’s MS Battle
- 22 million Make It Mini toys recalled after dozens report skin burns, irritation
Recommendation
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Supreme Court admits document was briefly uploaded after Bloomberg says high court poised to allow emergency abortions in Idaho
Supreme Court rejects challenge to Biden administration's contacts with social media companies
California Legislature approves budget that slashes spending to address $46.8 billion deficit
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Pedestrian traffic deaths decline for first time since pandemic after 40-year high in 2022
Video shows iconic home on Rapidan Dam partially collapsing into Blue Earth River in southern Minnesota
Prospect of low-priced Chinese EVs reaching US from Mexico poses threat to automakers