Will Cristiano Ronaldo play for Portugal at Euro 2024?

No matter how many people write him off, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to deliver for Portugal.

The 39-year-old is international football's most prolific goalscorer and has now made over 200 appearances for Portugal, donning the fabled red jersey for over two decades. The superstar's crowning achievement with his country came after glory at Euro 2016 and the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has the chance to make even more history this summer.

Euro 2024 in Germany serves as an opportunity for a second major international trophy for Portugal, but the influence of their free-scoring talisman Ronaldo isn't going to last forever. Now closing out his career in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward has been missing from Europe's elite stage for some time.

So, will Ronaldo feature at Euro 2024 this summer?

Has Cristiano Ronaldo been named in Portugal's Euro 2024 squad?

Roberto Martinez has now named his first Portugal squad for a major international tournament and, rather unsurprisingly, record goalscorer Ronaldo has been included. This will be the veteran's sixth Euros, with his first dating back to 2004 when Portugal finished runners-up to Greece on home soil.

The Portugal captain was never in jeopardy of being dropped despite now playing in the Saudi Pro League. The fact that he scored 44 goals in 45 games for Al Nassr is still mightily impressive, even if the Middle East isn't the most testing environment for him.

Ronaldo, barring any late injuries, is guaranteed to start at Euro 2024, featuring as a number nine for Martinez. Therefore, his greatest competitors for a starting place are Liverpool's Diogo Jota, Paris Saint-Germain's Goncalo Ramos and Barcelona loanee Joao Felix.

Who do Portugal play at Euro 2024?

Portugal take part in three pre-tournament friendlies, the first of which came against Finland on 4 June. However, Ronaldo didn't feature in the 4-2 victory as he was rested ahead of matches with Croatia and Ireland.

At the tournament itself, Portugal face one of the simpler groups. They kick their campaign off with a clash against Czech Republic, followed by meetings with Turkey and debutants Georgia.

Portugal will be expecting to top the group with little fuss, especially given they reached the tournament by winning all ten of their qualifying games. A second-placed finish would also guarantee safe passage to the knockout stages, while coming third could ensure progression depending on results elsewhere.

The oldest players to feature at the Euros

If Ronaldo features on the opening day of Euro 2024, he will be 39 and 130 days old. That would make him the oldest outfield player in the competition's history, surpassing Germany's Lothar Matthaus at 39 and 91 days old - who ironically set the current high-watermark against Portugal.

However, Ronaldo wouldn't be the oldest player to have ever played at a Euros. That impressive feat goes to famous tracksuit joggers-wearing Gabor Kiraly. The Hungarian goalkeeper featured at Euro 2016 at 40 years and 86 days old, guiding his nation to a rare quarter-final appearance.

Should Ronaldo feature and score at Euro 2024, he would become the oldest goalscorer in the competition, beating Austria's Ivica Vastic. The forward netted a penalty against Poland at Euro 2008 at the grand age of 38 years and 257 days.

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