STILL GOING RON Cristiano Ronaldo set to be named in Portugal squad for Euro 2024 qualifier ending speculation over international future
CRISTIANO RONALDO is poised to be in Portugal's squad for two Euro 2024 qualifiers - ending doubts over his international future.
Posted Friday, March 17, 2023 by Thesun.co.uk
The 196-cap legend, 38, was in tears after his last Portugal game, having come off the bench in Morocco's shock 1-0 World Cup quarter-final win.
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be in Roberto Martinez's first Portugal squad Credit: Getty
But The Athletic suggest new manager Roberto Martinez will pick the Al Nassr frontman for next week's ties with Liechtenstein and Iceland.
Ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid hero Ron is level with same-aged Kuwaiti frontman Bader Al-Mutawa as the most-capped player ever.
Both hope to move three games short of a double century next Thursday.
Portugal open their Euro qualifying campaign at home to Liechtenstein while Kuwait host the Philippines in a friendly.
Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo has done little to ease speculation over his Portugal future since moving to Saudi Arabia on New Year's Eve.
But ex-Everton chief Martinez said: “We’re going to start a process to try to get to know the players that could make it to the national team.
"We’re going to give all the players an opportunity and respect all those who are already in the national team. Cristiano is one of them."
Ronaldo ended a disappointing World Cup for himself and his country by only being used as a sub in their last two matches.
He walked off down the tunnel crying after Morocco pulled off one of the surprises of the tournament.
Ronaldo was club-less at the time, following his split from United over his outspoken interview with Piers Morgan.
But now he's settling in at Al-Nassr, hitting eight goals in nine games.
And Ron has discussed his future with Martinez, who took the Portugal job in January following his own failure at Qatar 2022 as Belgium boss.
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