Roberto Martinez Includes Cristiano Ronaldo In Squad For Opening Euro Qualifiers

18.03.2023 - 05:55 sports.ndtv.com

Cristiano Ronaldo was on Friday included in the first Portugal squad announced by new coach Roberto Martinez, for Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.

The 38-year-old "is very important for the team," the Spanish coach stressed during a press conference in which he unveiled his squad of 26. "I do not look at the age," said Martinez.

Portugal will face Liechtenstein on March 23 in Lisbon before travelling to Luxembourg on March 26. Martinez said his first squad "is important because it is the starting point" for Euro 2024.

Ronaldo, whose international career began in August 2003 in a friendly against Kazakhstan, holds the world record for men's international goals with 118.

Football qualifiers Martinez Cristiano Ronaldo Roberto Martínez Qatar Spain Switzerland Portugal Martinez Morocco Ghana Kazakhstan Lisbon Liechtenstein Luxembourg Luxembourg

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Cristiano Ronaldo 'Very Important' For Portugal, Says Roberto Martinez

Cristiano Ronaldo remains a "very important" player for Portugal, coach Roberto Martinez said on Sunday after the veteran striker scored a second successive brace in Euro 2024 qualifying against Luxembourg. The 38-year-old opened the scoring for the Euro 2016 winners by turning in Nuno Mendes' header and slotted home another in the 31st minute as Portugal won 6-0. Ronaldo, who also netted twice against Liechtenstein on Thursday, increased his records of most men's international appearances and goals to 198 and 122 respectively. "Cristiano is a unique player in the world, with the highest number of international caps," said Martinez, who has restored Ronaldo to the starting line-up after he was dropped during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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Watch: Vietnamese Footballer Attempts Cristiano Ronaldo's 'Siuuu' Celebration, Ends Up In Hospital

Cristiano Ronaldo is not only a legend, but also a football star who inspires generations with his records, titles, and of course, the signature celebrations. Ronaldo's famous 'siuuu' celebration, which he first came up with after scoring a free-kick against Chelsea in a friendly in 2013, has inspire athletes all around the globe. From footballers to cricketers, several athletes have attempted the famous celerbration after scoring a goal or taking a wicket. However, in a bizarre, a Vietnamese footballer's attempt to replicate Ronaldo's 'siuuu' celebration went all wrong as he ended up being admitted in the hospital.