At 39 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo is in the Portuguese group to play the first two matches of the Nations League at the beginning of September.
Portugal’s star striker Cristiano Ronaldo, at 39, remains one of the key players in a team that is looking to start a new cycle after a disappointing European Football Championship.
“Ronaldo is unique!”said coach Roberto Martinez when he unveiled the list of players selected to face Croatia and Scotland in the Nations League on Thursday and Sunday in Lisbon. “To continue to play at your level at 39 is incredible”stressed the Spanish coach who wants to start a “new cycle” with the selection to prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
Ronaldo, the one and only survivor of an old generation
After the departure of defender Pepe, who announced his retirement from the sport last month at the age of 41, CR7 is now the veteran of the Seleçao, boasting an impressive record of 212 caps and 130 goals. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has been playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia for almost two years, nevertheless went through his 6th European Championship like a shadow, without scoring a single goal and losing in the quarter-finals against France (0-0 aet, 5 pens to 3).
After his recent lackluster performances, his place as a starter in the team is not unanimous. “The coach speaks of a new cycle and keeps Cristiano Ronaldo in his options”asked the sports daily A Bola on Sunday. The player from the island of Madeira “does not seem to realise that he no longer has the qualities he had when he wore the colours of Manchester United, Real Madrid and even Juventus”the newspaper continued.
