Ronaldo keeps Portugal place for Nations League
Cristiano Ronaldo has retained his place in the Portugal squad for its opening 2024-2025 UEFA Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Scotland.
Ronaldo is both Portugal's most-capped player and its leading all-time goalscorer, netting 130 goals in 212 senior caps, with both of those figures also being records for any nation in men's international football.
However, the 39-year-old's international future was called into question in the aftermath of UEFA Euro 2024, where the Selecao reached the last eight in unconvincing fashion before losing to France in a penalty shootout.
Ronaldo endured a miserable tournament, failing to score from 23 shots with a total expected goals (xG) value of 3.6.
Only Kylian Mbappe (24) attempted more shots at goal at the tournament, while only Germany's Kai Havertz, who scored twice, posted a higher xG figure (4.12).
However, Ronaldo will continue to lead Portugal next month as it begins the next international cycle, potentially with an eye on appearing at his 12th major tournament at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Coach Roberto Martinez said of Ronaldo's inclusion: "All players after the age of 30 have to face their career step by step, but Ronaldo's level is unique.
"Playing at the level he is playing, having the physical data he has, it's incredible. Individual goals are part of the players' careers, for us the goals are collective.
"Cristiano gave everything at the European Championship, we all gave everything, but we have to look ahead. Cristiano is important now for the national team, but no one can talk about the future."
Full Portugal squad:
Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Real Betis), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Renato Veiga (Chelsea), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Tiago Santos (Lille), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Joao Palhinha (Bayern Munich), Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Joao Felix (Chelsea), Francisco Trincao (Sporting CP), Pedro Goncalves (Sporting CP), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Geovany Quenda (Sporting CP), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Diogo Jota (Liverpool).