Cristiano Ronaldo set to make history: First to play in six European Championships

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo was named in the national team’s 26-member squad for this summer’s European Championships and is set to become the first-ever player to feature in six editions of the tournament.

Ronaldo, who played his first-ever Euros in 2004, previously was on level with Iker Casillas to have featured in five editions of the tournament.

“Cristiano? It’s better to talk about the data. He’s a player who’s scored 42 goals in 41 games for his club,” Portugal manager Roberto Martinez said.

“That shows his continuity and physical ability to always be fit, as well as the quality he has in front of goal, which we really like and need,” he added.

The Al-Nassr captain, who completed the move to Saudi Arabia from Manchester United midway through the 2022/23 season, has netted 42 goals and provided 13 assists for the Saudi Pro League club across all competitions.

The 39-year-old had led Portugal to their first-ever European title in 2016 and has 14 goals to his name in the finals.

The all-time leading international goalscorer had fell out of favor with Euro-winning coach Fernando Santos during Portugal’s 2022 World Cup campaign and was omitted from the starting XI post the group stages before Portugal’s eventual exit in the quarter-finals against Morocco.

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Also making the cut for Portugal was Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate, Pepe, who turned 41 earlier this year.

“Pepe’s role in the dressing room is important, the way he represents the national team shirt. I think that during the training camp, football is a constant struggle,” Martinez added.

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