PORTUGAL
Cristiano Ronaldo set to join Portugal for Euro 2024 ‘last dance’
The Al Nassr striker will join up with the national team on Friday (7 June) but is not expected to participate in the forthcoming friendly game against Croatia.
The domestic season in Saudi Arabia for Cristiano Ronaldo with Al Nassr was one of frustration for the player despite his impressive haul of 44 goals in 45 matches across all competitions.
On too many occasions, Riyadh city rivals Al Hilal proved that they are one step ahead of Nassr and this was compounded by the blue side of the city celebrating the Saudi Cup win last Friday after the game was decided on a penalty shoot-out.
Ronaldo and Al Hilal star Rubén Neves were both given added time off by Portugal boss Roberto Martinez and are set to join up with the national side on Friday (7 June). Both players missed the win over Finland and will not participate in the game against Croatia on Saturday at the National Stadium in the Lisbon district of Jamor, for the second of their friendlies before Euro 2024.
“Rubén Neves and Cristiano Ronaldo will arrive on June 7. All the players have had seven days to adapt, prepare for the Euro’s and refresh their minds. The plan for the two of them is to skip the match with Croatia and play against Ireland,” said coach Martínez in a press conference.
Fans attending the sold-out game were hoping to see an on-field reunion between Cristiano and Luka Modric with both playing together for several seasons at Real Madrid and are now both captains of their respective national teams. In their previous seven meetings, the Balkan side have yet to record a win over Portugal drawing just once and tasting defeat on six occasions.
Ireland test for CR7
Cristiano will be expected to participate with A Seleção das Quinas in the final warm-up game as the city of Aveiro stages the match against the Republic of Ireland on 11 June. The following day the national team expedition will fly to Germany and settle in their Marienfeld base in North Rhineland.
Portugal are in Group F at Euro 2024 and start the competition against the Czech Republic, on 18 June in Leipzig. The other sides in the group are Turkey and Georgia with Martinez’s men expected to top the group.