Cristiano Ronaldo set for record sixth World Cup with Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo is poised to etch his name further into football history after being included in Portugal's squad for the upcoming World Cup. The 41-year-old forward is set to become the first male player to appear in six editions of the tournament, following the announcement of the 26-man squad by head coach Roberto Martinez on Tuesday.

This World Cup is widely expected to be Ronaldo's final opportunity to secure the sport's most coveted prize, especially after his move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. He could join his long-time rival Lionel Messi of Argentina as the only men to have played in six World Cups. Ronaldo already holds the records for most international appearances (226) and goals (143) by a male player, and is the only man to have scored in five different World Cups. In a November interview with CNN, he stated that this tournament would "definitely" be his last.

Martinez also paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota, the 28-year-old forward who tragically died in a car accident in Spain last year. Jota was a regular for the national side, and his absence will be felt as Portugal aims for its first World Cup title.

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The squad includes Ronaldo's Al Nassr teammate Joao Felix, Manchester City's Bernardo Silva, and Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes. Paris Saint-Germain quartet Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Goncalo Ramos also feature, with Martinez selecting four goalkeepers.

Portugal has been drawn in Group K alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan, and Congo. They will kick off their campaign against Congo on June 17 in Houston, Texas.