Cristiano Ronaldo was on Friday included within the first Portugal squad introduced by new coach Roberto Martinez, for Euro 2024 qualifying matches in opposition to Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.

The 38-year-old “is essential for the group,” the Spanish coach pressured throughout a press convention by which he unveiled his squad of 26.

“I don’t take a look at the age,” stated Martinez.

Portugal will face Liechtenstein on March 23 in Lisbon earlier than travelling to Luxembourg on March 26.

Martinez stated his first squad “is vital as a result of it’s the start line” for Euro 2024.

Ronaldo, whose worldwide profession started in August 2003 in a pleasant in opposition to Kazakhstan, holds the world document for males’s worldwide objectives with 118.

Historical past means that, if he returns to the beginning line-up, he’ll enhance his complete within the subsequent two matches, at the very least in opposition to Luxembourg.

Portugal have performed Liechtenstein seven instances, profitable six and drawing one, a World Cup qualifier in 2004 which Ronaldo began however didn’t end. They’ve outscored Liechtenstein 35-3 however Ronaldo has by no means scored in opposition to the Principality.

Portugal have confronted Luxembourg 19 instances, profitable 17 and dropping only one, outscoring them 59-8. Ronaldo has hit 9 of these, his most in opposition to any worldwide group.

Ronaldo has represented Portugal in each worldwide competitors since Euro 2004, amassing a European championship winners’ medal in 2016.

His quest so as to add a World Cup medal in Qatar final yr, began properly as he grew to become the primary participant to attain in 5 editions when he transformed a penalty in a win in opposition to Ghana.

However he was unnoticed of the beginning line-up for the last-16 conflict as Portugal ripped Switzerland aside.

When Portugal misplaced to Morocco within the quarter-finals, he began on the bench and ended the match in tears.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves/ENG), Rui Patricio (Roma/ITA)

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), Joao Cancelo (Manchester Metropolis/ENG), Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Pepe (Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester Metropolis/ENG), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Diogo Leite (Union Berlin/GER), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund/GER)

Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Fulham/ENG), Ruben Neves (Wolves/ENG), Bernardo Silva (Manchester Metropolis/ENG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG), Joao Mario (Benfica), Matheus Nunes (Wolves/ENG), Otavio Monteiro (Porto), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr/KSA), Goncalo Ramos (Benfica), Joao Felix (Chelsea/ENG), Rafael Leao (AC Milan/ITA), Diogo Jota (Liverpool/ENG)

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