OFFICIAL: Cristiano Ronaldo included in Portugal squad for UEFA Nations League fixtures in September
Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in the Portugal national team squad for the UEFA Nations League fixtures in September. The Selecao will face Croatia in their opening match of the competition on September 5 and then Scotland on September 8. Both games will be held at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.
Portugal's 2024 UEFA Nations League squad also includes FC Porto's Diogo Costa, Wolverhampton Wanderers' Jose Sa, and Real Betis' Rui Silva as the goalkeepers. The defenders include Manchester City's Ruben Dias, Benfica's Antonio Silva, Chelsea's Renato Veiga, Sporting CP's Goncalo Inacio, Lille's Tiago Santos, Manchester United's Diogo Dalot, Paris Saint-Germain's Nuno Mendes, and Wolves' Nelson Semedo.
Bayern Munich's Joao Palhinha, Paris Saint-Germain's Joao Neves and Vitinha along with Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes, Manchester City's Bernardo Silva, and Al-Hilal's Ruben Neves were selected for the Selecao's midfield for the 2024 UEFA Nations League.
The Selecao's forwards include AC Milan's Rafael Leao, Liverpool's Diogo Jota, Chelsea's Joao Felix, and Pedro Neto along with Sporting CP's Francisco Trincao, Pedro Goncalves, and Geovany Quenda.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who made his senior debut for Portugal in 2003, has netted seven goals and two assists in 11 appearances in the UEFA Nations League while lifting the trophy in 2018–19. Overall, the Selecao captain has recorded 130 goals and 45 assists in 212 matches along with winning the 2016 UEFA European Championship with his nation.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo on his retirement from international football
Cristiano Ronaldo recently shared his thoughts about his plans to retire from international football. Speaking about his future with the Portugal national team, the 39-year-old star forward said (via TimelineCR7 on X):
"When I leave the national team, I will not tell anyone, it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part. But what I want now is to be able to help the national team."
While speaking on his YouTube channel, UR · Cristiano, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner also addressed his future plans and said (via @TeamCRonaldo on X):
"I feel until now that I can dribble, shoot, score, and jump high. The day I feel unable to do that, I will take my bag and quit football, but I am far from this thing. I have scored 50 goals last season."
Portugal along with Croatia, Poland, and Scotland have been sorted into Group A for the 2024 UEFA Nations League.