El nuevo entrenador de la selección afirmó que no se fija en la edad al momento de convocar jugadores y reafirmó que el astro portugués es muy importante para el equipo

La superestrella Cristiano Ronaldo lidera la primera lista del nuevo seleccionador portugués, el español Roberto Martínez. La lista se anunció este viernes para los duelos de finales de marzo ante Liechtenstein y Luxemburgo clasificatorios para la Eurocopa 2024.
Ronaldo, de 38 años de edad y que ahora juega en el Al Nassr de Arabia Saudita, es «muy importante para el equipo», señaló Martínez durante una conferencia de prensa. En el encuentro reveló su lista de 26 jugadores.

«No miro la edad», señaló el antiguo seleccionador belga, añadiendo que su lista es «el punto de partida» en la campaña hacia la Eurocopa.

Ronaldo, que tiene el récord de goles en partidos internacionales (118 en 196 apariciones), acabó el Mundial de Qatar como suplente. Su selección fue eliminada por Marruecos en cuartos (1-0).

El equipo luso jugará ante Liechtenstein el 23 de marzo en Lisboa y en Luxemburgo tres días más tarde.

La lista de 26 convocados:

– Arqueros (3): Diogo Costa (Oporto/POR), José Sá (Wolverhampton/ENG), Rui Patricio (AS Roma/ITA)

– Defensas (10): Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City/ENG), Danilo Pereira (París Saint-Germain/FRA), Pepe (Oporto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City/ENG), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting Portugal), Diogo Leite (Union Berlín/GER), Nuno Mendes (París Saint-Germain/FRA), Raphael Guerreiro (Dortmund/GER).

– Medios (8): Joao Palhinha (Fulham/ENG), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton/ENG), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG), Joao Mario (Benfica), Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton/ENG), Otavio Monteiro (Oporto), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA).

– Delanteros (5): Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr/KSA), Gonçalo Ramos (Benfica), Joao Félix (Chelsea/ENG), Rafael Leao (AC Milan/ITA), Diogo Jota (Liverpool/ENG).

POR AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal call-up decision explained as Roberto Martinez delivers verdict

Ronaldo’s last appearance for his national team came in the World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco

Roberto Martinez will hold talks with Cristiano Ronaldo over his international football thoughts after naming the former Manchester United forward in his first Portugal squad.

Ronaldo’s last appearance for the Portuguese national team ended in disappointment as the current Al Nassr captain was part of the squad beaten by Morocco in the World Cup quarter-finals. The defeat would end up costing Fernando Santos his job as Portugal boss and he was replaced by ex-Wigan Athletic, Everton and Belgium manager Martinez.

The 38-year-old has been handed a call-up in the first international squad since the World Cup for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. Speaking about his decision to include the ex Real Madrid man, Martinez said: “Cristiano Ronaldo is a very committed player. He can bring experience and is a very important figure for the team. I don’t look at age.”

Martinez was asked about the future of Ronaldo during his first press conference as Portugal boss and explained his rationale: “Football decisions have to be taken on the field of play. I’m not an office decision-making coach. So my starting point is to get to all the players and I want to get in touch with them.

“The list of 26 players from the World Cup is my starting point and Cristiano is a player on that list, he has been with the national team for 19 years and he deserves the respect of being able to sit down and talk. From there it is to create, in 10 weeks, the best team for our matches, for the qualification for the European Championship.

ByJack Flintham Football writer

More from the original source https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cristiano-ronaldo-portugal-manchester-united-26498762