Ronaldo returns to Portugal squad for Euro qualifiers

Football
By AFP | Mar 19, 2019
Cristiano Ronaldo is second on the all-time list of international scorers with 85 goals [Courtesy]

Cristiano Ronaldo rejoined his Portugal team-mates on Tuesday ahead of the start of Euro 2020 qualifying this week following a nine-month absence from the national team.

The 34-year-old Juventus forward was recalled by Portugal coach Fernando Santos for games at home to Ukraine and Serbia, having not played for his country since the 2018 World Cup.

Ronaldo was rested for the last six Portugal games while he settled at his new club following his departure from Real Madrid last July.

The reigning European champions, who are through to the UEFA Nations League final in June, kick off their Group B campaign in Lisbon on Friday against Ukraine before facing Serbia on March 25.

"Cristiano adds quality to any team. It's a pleasure to play with him and he's very important for us," Portugal defender Joao Cancelo, Ronaldo's team-mate at Juventus, told reporters on Tuesday.

Share this story
AFCON organisers allowing fans in for free to fill empty stands: source
Organisers at AFCON in Morocco are allowing supporters in for free after kick-off in matches where stadiums are not full, a Confederation of African Football source told AFP.
Cameroon edge Gabon 1-0 as Eyong strike settles tight AFCON clash
Karl Etta Eyong struck inside six minutes to hand five-time champions Cameroon a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Gabon in an Africa Cup of Nations Group F encounter
Diallo strike gets Ivory Coast title defence off to winning start
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo scored the decisive goal as Ivory Coast launched their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a controlled 1-0 victory over Mozambique
Record-breaking year as Kenyan athletes dominate 2025
Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet showed their class by shattering records.
Mahrez leads Algeria to AFCON cruise against Sudan
Captain Riyad Mahrez scored in each half as 2019 champions Algeria eased to a 3-0 win over 10-man Sudan in their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS