Current:Home > MyCristiano Ronaldo, 39, to play for Portugal in his sixth UEFA Euro Championship -ApexWealth
Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, to play for Portugal in his sixth UEFA Euro Championship
Johnathan Walker View
Date:2025-04-07 11:42:31
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! (8578)
Related
- Small twin
- Powerball jackpot grows to $1.55 billion for Monday; cash option worth $679.8 million
- Biden interviewed as part of special counsel investigation into handling of classified documents
- Harvard professor Claudia Goldin awarded Nobel Prize in Economics
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- A Kentucky deputy is wounded and a suspect is killed during an attempted arrest
- Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson responds to Maui wildfire fund backlash: 'I could've been better'
- Comfort Calendar: Stouffer's releases first ever frozen meal advent calendar
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Extremely rare Jurassic fossils discovered near Lake Powell in Utah: Right place at the right time
Ranking
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Pumpkin weighing 2,749 pounds wins California contest, sets world record for biggest gourd
- Death of Atlanta deacon who was electrically shocked during arrest ruled a homicide
- Proof Lady Gaga and Michael Polansky Breakup Rumors Were a Perfect Illusion
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Julia Fox Says Kanye West Offered to Get Her a Boob Job
- 'The Crown' teases the end of an era with trailer, posters for final season
- For years, they trusted the army to defend and inform them. Now many Israelis feel abandoned
Recommendation
Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
Skydiver dead after landing on lawn of Florida home
Ohio social worker accused of having sexual relations with 13-year-old client
Who’s running for president? See a rundown of the 2024 candidates
SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
The Crown Season 6 Premiere Dates Revealed in New Teaser
Alabama library mistakenly adds children’s book to “explicit” list because of author’s name
South Carolina nuclear plant gets yellow warning over another cracked emergency fuel pipe