Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make history by playing at his sixth World Cup this summer after being named in Roberto Martinez's Portugal squad. The 41-year-old forward, who made his World Cup debut in 2006, will join Lionel Messi as the first male footballers to appear in six editions of the tournament.
Portugal's World Cup squad announcement
Martinez revealed a 27-player squad at Portugal's City of Football complex in Lisbon for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. One goalkeeper will be cut before the final deadline. The squad includes Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and teammate Diogo Dalot, as well as Paris St Germain trio Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, and Vitinha. Manchester City's Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes, and Ruben Dias were also selected.
However, Joao Palhinha, on loan at Tottenham from Bayern Munich, and West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes were omitted. Portugal, quarter-finalists in Qatar 2022, are in Group A with Colombia, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan. They open against DR Congo in Houston on June 17, face Uzbekistan on June 23, and conclude group play against Colombia in Miami on June 27.
Full squad
- Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Silva (Sporting), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi)
- Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Man Utd), Matheus Nunes (Man City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (Paris St Germain), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Ruben Veiga (Villarreal), Ruben Dias (Man City), Tomas Araujo (Benfica)
- Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (Paris St Germain), Vitinha (Paris St Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd), Bernardo Silva (Man City)
- Forwards: Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (Paris St Germain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
