Current:Home > StocksCristiano Ronaldo, 39, to play for Portugal in his sixth UEFA Euro Championship -Wealth Evolution Experts
Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, to play for Portugal in his sixth UEFA Euro Championship
Johnathan Walker View
Date:2025-04-08 01:21:57
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! (7)
Related
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- 2-year-old killed by tram on Maryland boardwalk
- 3 ways you could reduce your Social Security check by mistake
- Incumbents beat DeSantis-backed candidates in Florida school board race
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Young adults are major targets for back-to-school scams. Here's how to protect yourself.
- 'Major catastrophe': Watch as road collapses into giant sinkhole amid Northeast flooding
- Paris Hilton's New Y2K Album on Pink Vinyl & Signed? Yas, Please. Here's How to Get It.
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Cute Fall Decor That Has Nothing To Do with Halloween
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Police raid Andrew Tate’s home in Romania as new allegations emerge involving minors
- Jennifer Lopez's Ex Alex Rodriguez Posts Cryptic Message Amid Split From Ben Affleck
- Taylor Swift Shares Eras Tour Backstage Footage in I Can Do It With a Broken Heart Music Video
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Expelled Yale student sues women’s groups for calling him a rapist despite his acquittal in court
- 30 quotes about kindness to uplift and spread positivity
- Gayle King dishes on her SI Swimsuit cover, how bestie Oprah accommodates her needs
Recommendation
Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
Human bones found near carousel in waterfront park in Brooklyn
Little League World Series: Updates, highlights from Tuesday elimination games
Several factors may be behind feelings of hypochondria. Here are the most common ones.
Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
PHOTO COLLECTION: Election 2024 DNC Celebrities
Tim Walz is still introducing himself to voters. Here are things to know about Harris’ VP pick
Gov. Jim Justice tries to halt foreclosure of his West Virginia hotel as he runs for US Senate