Veteran Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo will lead his country into the 2026 World Cup this summer after coach Roberto Martinez named the 41-year-old in his squad yesterday. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star, now at Sau
AFP | Lisbon
Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com
Veteran Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo will lead his country into the 2026 World Cup this summer after coach Roberto Martinez named the 41-year-old in his squad yesterday.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star, now at Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, is set to appear at a record sixth World Cup.
Portugal and Ronaldo, the all-time leading men’s international goalscorer with 143 goals, have never won the competition.
Ronaldo could face former Barcelona rival Lionel Messi, who is also set to play at a sixth World Cup after leading Argentina to glory four years ago in Qatar.
The Portuguese forward avoided a three-match ban despite being sent off against the Republic of Ireland in their last qualifying match for an elbow.
Spanish coach Martinez selected a 26-man squad with no major surprises, including Ronaldo’s Al Nassr team-mate Joao Felix, and also named goalkeeper Ricardo Velho as an extra player in the group.
