Why Cristiano Ronaldo is still in Portugal squad aged 39 – Roberto Martinez

Portugal national team manager Roberto Martinez has explained why Cristiano Ronaldo was named in the Euro 2024 squad despite being 39.

Ronaldo is preparing to play in his sixth European Championship, with Portugal getting their campaign underway against Czechia on Tuesday night.

However, despite being benched towards the end of Portugal’s run at the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo is likely to start when they face Czechia.

Speaking ahead of the match, Martinez revealed that the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward, who now plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, is in Portugal’s Euro 2024 squad ‘on merit’.

“Cristiano is in the national team on merit. Nobody gets into the national team by just having a name,” Martinez said. “Cristiano scored 50 goals in 51 games, consistent with his club in his league, and he scored nine goals in our qualification rounds.

“He’s a goal scorer and for us he’s someone who can make that final move. He can stretch defences and open spaces. Over the years he has changed his way of playing slightly, but I can only say that Cristiano is in the national team on merit and the numbers are there to back that up.”

Ronaldo will be eager to repay his mama faith. The Al Nassr forward is the only player to score at five consecutive European Championships.

He has more goals than any other individual in the history of the competition. Ronaldo famously led Portugal to Euro 2016 success despite picking up an injury in the final.