The Al Nassr striker will join up with the national team on Friday (7 June) but is not expected to participate in the forthcoming friendly game against Croatia.
The domestic season in Saudi Arabia for Cristiano Ronaldo with Al Nassr was one of frustration for the player despite his impressive haul of 44 goals in 45 matches across all competitions.
On many occasions, Riyadh city rivals Al Hilal proved that they are one step ahead and this was compounded by the blue side of the city celebrating the Saudi Cup win last Friday after the game was decided on a penalty shoot-out.
Ronaldo and Al Hilal star Rubén Neves were both given added time off by Portugal boss Roberto Martinez and are set to join up with the national side on Friday (7 June). Both players missed the win over Finland and will not participate in the game against Croatia on Saturday at the National Stadium in the Lisbon district of Jamor, for the second of their friendlies before Euro 2024.
“Rubén Neves and Cristiano Ronaldo will arrive on June 7. All the players have had seven days to adapt, prepare for the Euro’s and refresh their minds. The plan for the two of them is to skip the match with Croatia and play against Ireland,” said coach Martínez in a press conference.
Fans attending the sold-out game were hoping to see an on-field reunion between Cristiano and Luka Modric with both playing together for several seasons at Real Madrid and are now both captains of their respective national teams. In their previous seven meetings, the Balkan side have yet to record a win over Portugal drawing just once and tasting defeat on six occasions.
Ireland test for CR7
Cristiano will be expected to participate with A Seleção das Quinas in the final warm-up game as Aveiro stages the match against the Republic of Ireland on 11 June. The following day the national team expedition will fly to Germany and settle in their Marienfeld base in North Rhineland.
Portugal are in Group F at Euro 2024 and start the competition against the Czech Republic, on 18 June in Leipzig. The other sides in the group are Turkey and Georgia with Martinez’s men expected to top the group.
putimopruy
353
How I wish I could stop cr5 from another heartbreak at Euro! Karma will not let cr5 be! It is most painful seeing cr5 crying after losing 4th finals with Al nasser, so sad. Again, seeing great cr5 crying profusely after being knocked out of the world cup last time was a bad sight. Messi lost about 6 different major finals before, including world cup final but he never give up and at 35 he eventually won the world cup for Argentina and not only that he won best player golden ball for second time. If you ask me, I don't see cr5 winning Euro but Portugal could win Euro only if they leave cr5 on the bench and when they win final match he should be allowed to lift the trophy. Cr5 mucking Messi and using negative words to rubbish Messi world cup efforts and hard earned victory at 35, will never make cr5 win anything again because karma is real. Cr5 was crying seriously because he lost common Saudi cup so you know how painful it is when you wish other fails.
ALNASSR
240
Good luck to goat 🐐
Truthishere
198
if he's truly an agentine player he would have win 3 world cup trophy for sure
You mean to say he'd have been carried to 3 world cups like he's being carried to trophies by vibrant young talented Portuguese in the national team. 14 international tournaments, 0 golden ball, 0 finals goal or assist, world cup flop, international fraud!