Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is fit for the UEFA Nations League semi-final clash against Germany amid recent concerns surrounding the 40-year-old.
Ronaldo has scored 33 goals and registered four assists in 39 appearances for Al-Nassr this term, but he has not represented the Saudi Pro League outfit since the start of May.
The forward has missed Al-Nassr’s last three league games due to a muscular strain, but he was included in the Portugal squad for their Nations League last-four contest with Germany.
Martinez has revealed that Ronaldo, who only has a contract with his current side until the end of June, is available for selection.
“Regarding Cristiano’s fitness, he is available to play. There’s no problem,” Martínez told reporters. “I feel very happy with the quality that we have in the squad. We have many options. We have four players in the Champions League final and that is interesting.”
Ronaldo fit for Portugal’s Nations League semi-final
Ronaldo has scored 934 goals and registered 257 assists in 1,277 appearances during a stunning professional career.
The forward has 136 goals in 219 caps for Portugal, and he is fully intending to represent the national side at the 2026 World Cup, but it remains to be seen whether he signs a new contract with Al-Nassr.
There have recently been claims that Sporting Lisbon could re-sign their former wonderkid this summer, while there is also thought to be interest from Brazil in the greatest goalscorer in the history of football.
Martinez ignoring Mourinho speculation
There have been claims that Jose Mourinho could replace Martinez after the Nations League, but Martinez refused to entertain the speculation during his press conference.
“I can say what my focus is, that is the 2026 World Cup and that is what we are working on,” said Martinez.
“We are working to improve, to grow and continue with the work we’ve done so far. The rest is noise but our focus is the World Cup.
“We are where we want to be, among the top four teams in Europe. Of course we want to win it [Nations League] but we want to use the Nations League also to prepare for the World Cup.”
Rodrigo Mora, 18, has been named in the squad off the back of an excellent season for Porto, while Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leao are also notable inclusions for A Selecao das Quinas.
Portugal squad in full:
Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers); Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Nuno Tavares (Lazio), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Antonio Silva (Benfica) Renato Veiga (Juventus); Joao Palhinha (Bayern Munich), Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Joao Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Pedro Goncalves (Sporting Lisbon), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Joao Felix (AC Milan); Francisco Trincao (Sporting Lisbon), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rodrigo Mora (Porto), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Goncalo Ramos (PSG), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr)
VOTE IN THE 2024-25 SPORTS MOLE READERS’ AWARDS!
Voting is now open for the annual Sports Mole Readers’ Awards, where you can pick your player of the season, manager of the season, signing of the season and much more.
Click here to make your selections, and the winners will be announced on Monday, May 26!
